Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Samuels was shot and killed after encountering one or more suspicious men next to Sophia Church at approximately 0200 hours. Constable Samuels exchanged shots with the suspect(s). The city police chief, responding to sounds of the shots, located a man lying beside Constable Samuels' roadster. The man had been shot in his hip three times and there were several bullet holes in the car. The chief could not find his constable, so he put the wounded man in his car and began to drive him to the hospital. As he was driving the suspect attacked the chief and stabbed him several times in the chest. Although wounded, the chief shot the suspect in his hand. He then managed to get the attention of a man living in a nearby house who drove them to the hospital. Constable Samuels' body was not found until the following day at approximately noon only 25 feet from his car. He had been shot in the abdomen and a leg. Two pistols and Constable Samuel's service revolver were found near the seen. All three had been fired several times. The wounded man, now the only suspect, said he had no memory of anything. He was charged with murder and the attempted murder of the chief. The investigation revealed few clues as to others who could have been involved and if the suspect was the one who shot Constable Samuels. On April 8, 1928, the suspect was still in jail awaiting trial. Even though they had all the evidence they needed that he tried to kill the chief, officials were trying to decide if the wanted to go forward with a trial or dismiss the charges. Their decision and the suspect's future is unknown.
Survivors
Constable Samuels had served as constable for only 9 months and was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-17ECFE33- 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.
Constable Samuels served with the Raleigh County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Beckley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Samuels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John R. Samuels 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Raleigh County Constable'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. John R. Samuels's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Samuels Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Samuels is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John R. Samuels was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Raleigh County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
