James Lee Clarius
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

James Lee Clarius

Felonious
End of Watch October 5, 1996
Age 34
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 143 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy James Clarius was killed while involved in a struggle with an armed robbery suspect at West Esplanade Avenue and Page Drive in Metairie. During the struggle, the subject was able to gain control of his service weapon and shot him four times. Deputy Clarius was found in the street by a resident approximately ten minutes after the incident. He was transported to East Jefferson Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect turned himself in three days later. He was convicted of first-degree murder on April 27, 1999, and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Clarius had served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for nine years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two young sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-BD7E9FC7
Stewardship
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Clarius gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clarius.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Harvey, Jefferson Parish, LA
Platform Identity jpso.jefferson.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 5, 1996
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Deputy Sheriff James Lee Clarius 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
12
of 15 officers
80% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Lee Clarius's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How James Lee Clarius Compares

Age at Death
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Lee Clarius is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Lee Clarius was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location