Roll of Honor
James Victor Arnaud
Incident
Sergeant James Arnaud and PFC Elizabeth Magruder were shot and killed while attempting to serve a psychiatric petition on an individual in a home in the 9300 block of Lynmont Drive in Adelphi at 9:30 pm.
The suspect retreated to a rear bedroom and opened fire with a handgun. Sergeant Arnaud was shot in the throat, and PFC Magruder was shot in the back of the head. The suspect fled the scene following the shootings but was arrested two days later after undercover officers spotted him coming from an apartment building approximately two miles from the scene of the shooting. The handgun used in the murders was recovered from the suspect as well.
The suspect was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and using a handgun in the commission of a felony in November 2003. In September 2005, the convictions were overturned on appeal, and the suspect was ordered to face a new trial. He was again convicted during the second trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In December of 2023, he was released from prison.
The murders of Sergeant Arnaud and PFC Magruder were the first line of duty deaths for the department in its 306-year history.
Sergeant Arnaud was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Prince George's County Sheriff's Department for 13 years. He was killed two days before his 54th birthday.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-7E54E6DC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Arnaud gave the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Largo community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Victor Arnaud served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant James Victor Arnaud is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,588 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 2.2 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Prince George's County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. James Victor Arnaud's cause is highlighted.
How James Victor Arnaud Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Victor Arnaud is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Victor Arnaud was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James Victor Arnaud served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Victor Arnaud’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Prince George's County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
