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Incident
Sheriff Summers was shot and killed in Morgan Gulch while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a 18 year-old youth for burglary of a rancher's cabin. The suspect was apprehended the following day. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison May 26, 1901. In 1913 his sentence was reduced to 20 to 25 years. Sheriff Summers was survived by his wife and five children. He is buried in the Virginia City Cemetery.
Survivors
Sheriff Summers was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Summers gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Summers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Madison County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 38. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.4% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Fridays: 17.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.5% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Madison County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
