Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Bowlin was shot and killed while attempting to serve an assault warrant on a 23-year-old man for kicking a man in a pool hall.
The subject who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. There is no record of the disposition of the case. In 1938 he was shot and killed by a night watchman in Williamsburg. The nightwatchman, charged with murder, was acquitted.
Deputy Bowlin's brother, Chief of Police Thomas Bowlin, was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 13th, 1925, while serving with the Jellico, Tennessee, Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-ACB650A0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bowlin served with the Whitley County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bowlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Bowlin 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 Whitley County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 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 Bowlin's cause is highlighted.
How James Bowlin Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Bowlin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Bowlin was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Whitley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
