Sheriff Samuel Adams Graham

Samuel Adams Graham

Sheriff Samuel Graham and Deputy Sheriff Albert Kelly were shot and killed by an inmate in the county jail at about 10:00 pm.

The inmate had obtained a handgun when it was smuggled to him in a box of candy. As Deputy Kelly placed inmates into cells the prisoner grabbed him and pulled him against the bars. After forcing Deputy Kelly to open the out cell doors the man fatally shot him.

Sheriff Graham, who lived in an apartment in the jail, was alerted to the escape and came to investigate. As he did so he was also shot and killed by the prisoner. The man fled the jail but was apprehended the next morning in Dover, Delaware. A man, 21, and a woman, 19, were arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in a murder after it was discovered they smuggled in the pistol. The killer, 21, was convicted of both murders and sentenced to two life terms in jail. He died in prison in 2008. The woman, the killer's girlfriend, after spending 21 months in jail, was convicted of aiding and abetting in an escape, sentenced to time served, and sentenced to five years probation.

Sheriff Graham had served with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. He was survived by his wife.