Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Blair was shot and killed while transporting a subject from an involuntary psychiatric evaluation at a mental health facility at 3087 Mississippi 13 in Mendenhall.
The evaluation had just completed, and Deputy Blair was placing the man back into the patrol car when he was attacked. The subject was able to gain control of Deputy Blair's service weapon and fatally shot him before fleeing on foot.
The man was apprehended the following day.
Deputy Blair had served in law enforcement for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife and grandsons, whom they are raising. He was predeceased by his daughter.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and grandsons, whom they are raising.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-6C62DDBA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
50 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Blair gave the Simpson County Sheriff's Office 50 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Mendenhall community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Harold Blair is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.4 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Simpson County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Harold Blair's cause is highlighted.
How James Harold Blair Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Harold Blair is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Harold Blair was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Simpson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
