Deputy sheriff William G. Billy Giacomo, 28, was fatally shot in Summersville, West Virginia, on September 11, 2000, while processing a DUI suspect at the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department. A career public servant, Giacomo had served with the Boomer Volunteer Fire Department, the Gauley Bridge Police Department and joined the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department on October 16, 1998, after graduating from the West Virginia State Police Academy. He held associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in criminal justice and was active in firefighting and community projects.

According to accounts, the suspect had been in a holding cell and was brought out for a breathalyzer test. While Giacomo briefly answered a telephone, the suspect produced a small .22-caliber handgun concealed in his boot, a struggle ensued, and Giacomo was shot in the head. The shooting was recorded by the department’s monitoring system. The suspect escaped, sparking a multi-agency manhunt; he was captured four days later and jailed. The suspect was found dead in his cell on November 11, 2000, an apparent suicide, so no trial followed.

Giacomo was married to Staci Foster and was remembered for his policing, firefighting, photography and community service; he was an organ donor. Does anyone have memories of his service or information that could shed further light on the department’s procedures that day?