James Sherman Mullins

Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement — Richmond, VA

Felonious

End of Watch August 8, 1926

Age 59

The Vigil Panel 51 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Inspector James Mullins succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier when he was shot by the Dickenson County sheriff on the courthouse steps in Clintwood.

The county sheriff was known to personally violate Prohibition laws and to protect other violators. Inspector Mullins had issued several warrants charging him with prohibition law violations and was instrumental in having the him removed from office.

The sheriff had received an official notice in the mail informing him of the removal. He immediately picked up his gun, left his home, and walked to the courthouse where he located Inspector Mullins speaking with a justice of the peace and the commonwealth's attorney about unrelated cases. As he approached he ordered the other men on the courthouse lawn to back away. As they did so he opened fire on Inspector Mullins, who then retreated up the courthouse steps. Inspector Mullins, who had only one hand due to a previous injury, attempted to draw his gun as the sheriff continued to fire at him. He took up a position behind a pillar and returned fire, striking the sheriff twice.

Both men were transported to the local hospital, where the sheriff died within 30 minutes. Inspector Mullins succumbed to his wounds two days later.

Inspector Mullins had served with the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement for 2-1/2 years. He had previously served as a Dickenson County policeman, justice of the peace, and with the United States Marshals Service.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, several children, and several grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-230E4B94
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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.
Inspector Mullins served with the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Mullins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement

Location Richmond, VA

Platform Identity vdpefed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1926

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Inspector James Sherman Mullins 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement

of 8 officers

100% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious