Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Morefield was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for two murders in West Virginia.
He had been notified that the suspect was working at a railroad camp near Speer's Ferry.
Deputy Morefield obtained a warrant for the suspect and deputized three citizens to assist him with the arrest. The officers located the man's shack at around midnight and ordered him to come out. The suspect, along with two other men, exited the shack shooting. One shot struck Deputy Morefield in the chest, killing him.
The three suspects fled into Tennessee but were arrested a short time later. They were returned to Scott County and charged with Deputy Morefield's murder. Six months later two suspects were convicted of murder and both were sentenced to 14 years.
The information given to Deputy Morefield about one of the men wanted for two murders in West Virginia turned out to be false. The man who gave him the false information was arrested. It was soon discovered that he was in fact wanted for murder in Tennessee. He was extradited to Sullivan County, Tennessee, to face a murder charge there.
Deputy Morefield also served as a county magistrate in Clinchport.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-840555D6- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Morefield served with the Scott County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gate City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morefield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James W. Morefield 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 Scott 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. James W. Morefield's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Morefield Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 14 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Morefield is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Morefield was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Scott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
