In the summer of 1920, James Benjamin Ramsey, a 48-year-old Deputy Sheriff for Clay County, Alabama, was involved in an incident that would ultimately lead to his death. On July 2nd of that year, Deputy Ramsey, along with the sheriff and two other officers, conducted a raid on a suspected illegal liquor still located on a farm in Ashland. While searching a barn on the property, the officers were confronted by a man.
In an instant, the situation turned violent as the man opened fire, striking Deputy Ramsey before making his escape.
The wounds Deputy Ramsey sustained were grave. He was taken to his home, where he battled for his life for five days. Despite the care he received, he succumbed to his injuries on July 7, 1920. His death left behind a wife, three daughters, and four siblings. Deputy Ramsey had dedicated several years to law enforcement, having served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office for seven months and, prior to that, with the Ashland Police Department for at least two years.
Following the shooting, a suspect was apprehended and faced legal consequences for the death of Deputy Ramsey. The initial trial resulted in a murder conviction and a sentence of 40 years in prison. However, the legal journey was far from over. The Alabama Supreme Court granted the convicted man a new trial, which concluded with a second-degree murder conviction and a reduced sentence of 17 years. In a final legal turn in 1923, a third trial was granted, resulting in a conviction for manslaughter and a sentence of one year. The offender ultimately served three years for the killing of Deputy Sheriff James Benjamin Ramsey.
