Jimmy Charles Matthews
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Matthews was shot and killed when he and two other deputies responded to a suspicious person call involving a man with previous mental illness. Deputy Matthews attempted to look through a window after responding officers received no answer at the door. The man immediately opened fire, striking Deputy Matthews in the face. The subject was later shot and killed when officers attempted to enter the home. Deputy Matthews had served with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpkccdbbxs9w6d747b41- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jimmy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Matthews gave the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department has lost 13 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Jimmy is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Jimmy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jimmy is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 1 officer at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1982, 3 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jimmy was 43. Of the 10 killed feloniously at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.8 and 43; the middle age was 40. Jimmy had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jimmy was 43. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Jimmy had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Jimmy was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jimmy had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jimmy was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jimmy had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 18.2%. Mondays: 36.4%.
April holds 6.6% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 12.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.6% of all 13 deaths at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department has 13 officers remembered here, Jimmy among them.
-
Robert B. Day
Mar 29, 1924
-
Joseph Arnold Le Jeune
Dec 31, 1925
-
Glynn E. Averette
Dec 12, 1961
-
Charles H. Hurt
Nov 13, 1963
-
Ralph G. Hancock
Jan 10, 1972
-
Ralph Dwayne Wilder
Jan 10, 1972
-
Michael Wayne Ritchie
Dec 12, 1981
-
Jimmy Charles Matthews
Apr 26, 1982
-
Gerald Kevin Simmons
Nov 21, 1988
-
Bradford Allen Garafola, Sr.
Jul 17, 2016
-
Shawn Thomas Anderson
Mar 18, 2017
-
Steven Dewayne Whitstine
May 30, 2019
-
Nicholas W. Tullier
May 5, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.











