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Incident
Officer James Bailey was shot and killed while searching for a suspect who had just murdered Officer Charles Blackstock and three other men without provocation. Officer Bailey encountered the suspect near Pack Square and a gunfight ensued in which Officer Bailey was shot in the head. When Officer Bailey located the suspect he attempted to take cover behind a utility pole. The suspect's shot went through the pole and struck Officer Bailey. The man fled but the governor of North Carolina mobilized the local National Guard company to assist in the search for the killer. The city organized a posse to pursue the suspect and was loaned rifles from Finkelstein's pawn shop downtown. The killer was tracked down and was shot and killed in a shootout with posse members two days later when they trapped him in a swamp outside Asheville. It was later discovered that the suspect was Will Harris, one of North Carolina's most notorious outlaws. He had escaped from two different chain gangs and had recently escaped from the state penitentiary in Raleigh where he was serving a sentence for killing a man because he refused to share his whiskey with him.
Survivors
Officer Bailey was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Officer Bailey served with the Asheville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Asheville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bailey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Asheville Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 2 officers at Asheville Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1906, 3 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 32. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Asheville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 33.
James was 32. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
James was 32. 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 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Asheville Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 40%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Asheville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Asheville Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Asheville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
