Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Clemmie Curtis was shot and killed in the 1700 block of Ritter Boulevard after being placed in his own handcuffs. His body was found near his patrol car in the isolated area known as a lover's lane. In January of 1985, one of America's worst serial killers on death row in Texas confessed that he and his partner-in-crime, a man on death row in Florida, had killed Patrolman Curtis. The inmate died in a Texas prison in March of 2001. The inmate in Florida was the prime suspect in the death of Adam Walsh, the son of John Walsh who later created the television show America's Most Wanted. Authorities were still investigating the murder when the suspect died of cirrhosis of the liver while still incarcerated in September 1996. Patrolman Curtis was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Huntington Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-FD593B5E- 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 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.
Patrolman Curtis gave the Huntington Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington community, and 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
Clemmie E. Curtis served in the Army (1968â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Clemmie E. Curtis 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 Huntington Police Department, 6 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clemmie E. Curtis's cause is highlighted.
How Clemmie E. Curtis Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clemmie E. Curtis is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clemmie E. Curtis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
