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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Conner, Sheriff Wash Coppinger, and Deputy Sheriff Langford Hennessey were shot and killed in a shootout with members of the South Pittsburgh Police Department who held a grudge against the sheriff.
The city's night marshal was the former sheriff and had lost his re-election bid against Sheriff Coppinger. The night marshal had appointed a man who had been arrested by Sheriff Coppinger as a deputy marshal.
During a labor strike at a local factory, the night marshal and his officers supported the non-union workers who were being harassed by striking workers because they were not participating in the strike.
A county deputy witnessed the officers holding a union member at gunpoint and approached them. The city officers then held the deputy at gunpoint before dispersing. The deputy immediately notified Sheriff Coppinger, who responded to the scene with Deputy Hennessey, Deputy Conner, and his son, who was also a deputy.
The sheriff and deputies confronted the officers on 3rd Street, near Cedar Avenue, and attempted to resolve the situation peacefully by offering to discuss it with the mayor. The sheriff then informed one of the officers he would have to be arrested for pointing the gun at the deputy.
One of the officers then opened fire with a shotgun. During the ensuing shootout, Sheriff Coppinger and Deputy Hennessey were killed, along with the city's night marshal, his deputy, and a special officer who worked at the local factory. Deputy Conner, who also served as the South Pittsburgh police chief, suffered a fatal shotgun blast and died the following day.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Conner served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Conner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 44. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
James was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Mondays: 12%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
