Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Anderson was shot and killed while answering a domestic disturbance call at apartment building at the intersection of Rice Street and Superior Boulevard. As he entered the apartment building lobby the suspect shot him in the chest three times. The man then fled and took hostages in the local post office before committing suicide. Sergeant Anderson had served with the six-man Wayzata Police Department for one year and had served in law enforcement for 13 years. He was killed on his 36th birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-BCD10679- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Anderson gave the Wayzata Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wayzata community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Anderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James William Anderson 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wayzata Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James William Anderson's cause is highlighted.
How James William Anderson Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James William Anderson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James William Anderson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayzata Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
