Sergeant Jerry Randall Stanley of the Sophia Police Department in Sophia, West Virginia, was killed by a gunshot on Wednesday, January 14, 1981. Memorial records and state listings identify his end-of-watch date as January 14, 1981, and classify the cause of death as gunfire, with officials distinguishing the incident as inadvertent rather than an intentional felonious attack on an officer.

There is no indication of any arrest, charge, or criminal prosecution related to Stanley’s death.

Does anyone have memories, documents, or photos from Sophia in January 1981 that could shed light on Sergeant Stanley’s service and the events that led to his death?