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Incident
Patrolman Cornett was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight between two men on a city street. As he approached the men he noticed that one of them was armed. He ordered the man to drop his weapon but was shot when he surprised the men. The suspect was apprehended the same day and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life and he was paroled in 1979.
Survivors
Patrolman Cornett had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-ZS3K-S1KM-Searlier record number BO-US-TN-6E786E0B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Cornett gave the Chattanooga Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cornett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chattanooga Police Department has lost 27 officers; 19 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 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
James is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 2 officers at Chattanooga Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 12 officers in TN were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 40. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Chattanooga Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41; the middle age was 35. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 40. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 40. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 40. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.5% of these deaths at Chattanooga Police Department; June holds the most, 15.8%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70.4% of all 27 deaths at Chattanooga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chattanooga Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Jonathan Merriman May 14, 1870
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James B. Wiggins Apr 28, 1879
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David C. Musgrove Dec 19, 1890
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Hugh Clark May
Sep 15, 1906
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Thomas Obadiah Musgrove Oct 31, 1906
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Clarence Livingston
Sep 1, 1912
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Carl Whitely Oct 10, 1918
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Paul Brown Oct 12, 1918
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James W. Duggan Jun 22, 1921
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James H. Cornett
Nov 4, 1931
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Jesse G. Shirley
Nov 8, 1931
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Walter J. Mashburn Jul 16, 1932
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Clyde J. Shipley
Dec 26, 1939
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Arlie E. Carr
Oct 27, 1942
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Ulysses Jackson
Sep 27, 1952
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Harry Thomas Shipley
Oct 4, 1953
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Morris B. Glenn
Apr 7, 1971
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Clarence E. Hamler
Aug 14, 1977
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Nelson I. Hess, V
Jun 12, 1978
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David L. Friederichsen
Jun 18, 1978
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Harry Wilcox Jan 18, 1979
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Richard Cartell Alexander
Oct 5, 2000
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Julie Rochelle Jacks
May 6, 2002
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James Timothy Chapin
Apr 2, 2011
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Nicholas Scott Galinger
Feb 24, 2019
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Joseph Brian Montijo
Nov 1, 2019
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James Michael Russ
Dec 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
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