In the rugged terrain of Black Mountain, near the Virginia-Kentucky border, the life of Stonega Chief of Police James King was tragically cut short on July 24, 1903. A male, King was in the process of serving an arrest warrant to a known moonshiner at his residence.
Upon confronting the suspect, Chief King granted the man's request to go back inside his house to retrieve his shoes.
However, upon re-emerging from his home, the suspect was armed and immediately fired upon the unsuspecting police chief. In a swift response to the unfolding violence, another officer who was present at the scene returned fire with a shotgun, killing the suspect instantly.
The death of Chief King sent shockwaves through the small community of Stonega, serving as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement officers in a region where illicit activities like moonshining were prevalent. As the perpetrator was killed during the confrontation, there were no subsequent arrests, suspects, or extended investigations into the death of Chief King. The community mourned the loss of their dedicated chief of police, whose ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty left a lasting impact.
