Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Frank James was shot and killed as he assisted the Martin County sheriff and a posse search for a man wanted for shooting five people the previous day.
The sheriff deputized his brother, son, and Frank James to assist with the search and arrest of the man. When the posse encountered the subject the man opened fire, killing Special Deputy James, before being taken into custody. He was convicted of Deputy James' murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Special Deputy James was survived by his father.
Survivors
Special Deputy James was survived by his father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-68976046- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff James served with the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Inez community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Frank James is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank James's cause is highlighted.
How Frank James Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank James is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank James was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Martin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.