Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Samuel Graham and Deputy Sheriff Albert Kelly were shot and killed by an inmate in the county jail at about 10:00 pm. The inmate had obtained a handgun when it was smuggled to him in a box of candy. As Deputy Kelly placed inmates into cells the prisoner grabbed him and pulled him against the bars. After forcing Deputy Kelly to open the out cell doors the man fatally shot him. Sheriff Graham, who lived in an apartment in the jail, was alerted to the escape and came to investigate. As he did so he was also shot and killed by the prisoner. The man fled the jail but was apprehended the next morning in Dover, Delaware. A man, 21, and a woman, 19, were arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in a murder after it was discovered they smuggled in the pistol. The killer, 21, was convicted of both murders and sentenced to two life terms in jail. He died in prison in 2008. The woman, the killer's girlfriend, after spending 21 months in jail, was convicted of aiding and abetting in an escape, sentenced to time served, and sentenced to five years probation. Sheriff Graham had served with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-48C25202- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Graham gave the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salisbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Graham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Samuel Adams Graham is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Adams Graham's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Adams Graham Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Adams Graham is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Adams Graham was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wicomico County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
