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Incident
Police Officer James Sorrow was shot and killed while attempting to serve a felony warrant on a 20-year-old subject. The suspect fled on foot and was pursued by Officer Sorrow. During the chase, the suspect ambushed him from behind a shed at the corner of Gower and Endel Streets. The suspect shot Officer Sorrow numerous times, striking him twice in the face, buttocks, and four times in the back of the head. Officer Sorrow had not removed his gun from his holster. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 30, 1997. Officer Sorrow had served with the Greenville Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Sorrow gave the Greenville Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sorrow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 1 officer at Greenville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1996, 2 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 26. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Greenville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 43. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
James was 26. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
James was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.1% of these deaths at Greenville Police Department; May holds the most, 27.3%. Thursdays: 9.1%.
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Thursdays: 12.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 45.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
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Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
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James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
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Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
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Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
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George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
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Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
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Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
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William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
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Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
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James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
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Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
