Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman George James was shot and killed on Main Street in front of the county courthouse.
The previous night he had witnessed two men playing craps in a local business and alerted the city marshal. The marshal responded to the scene and told both men to appear at the court the following Monday to face charges of gambling.
The day before they were told to appear one of the men encountered Policeman James standing in front of the courthouse and confronted him about the charges. After exchanging words the man began to pull out a handgun. Policeman James also drew his weapon and exchanged shots with the subject. Policeman James was struck once and killed instantly. The subject was also struck and killed.
Policeman James had served with the Georgetown Police Department when needed for approximately three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7979FE85- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Policeman James gave the Georgetown Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Georgetown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman George William James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Georgetown Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George William James's cause is highlighted.
How George William James Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George William James is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George William James was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Georgetown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
