James A. Keirsey
Agency patch
Patrolman

James A. Keirsey

Seminole Police Department — Seminole, OK
Felonious
End of Watch November 7, 1929
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Keirsey was shot and killed while he and three other state and local officers surrounded a home where a group of bank robbery suspects was hiding. One of the suspects was shot at the front door and ran towards the back, where Patrolman Keirsey was located. When the suspect saw Patrolman Keirsey he opened fire with his two .45 caliber pistols, fatally wounding him. One of the state agents shot and killed the suspect. Patrolman Keirsey's uncle, Police Officer Ben Collins, of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, was shot and killed in the line of duty on August 1, 1906. His brother, Deputy William Keirsey, was also shot and killed the following year while serving with the Carter County Sheriff's Department.

Survivors

Patrolman Keirsey was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 Keirsey served with the Seminole Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Seminole community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Keirsey.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Seminole, Seminole County, OK
Platform Identity spd.seminole.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 7, 1929
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Seminole Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.

Patrolman James A. Keirsey

Seminole Police Department · End of Watch November 7, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Seminole Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

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