Roll of Honor
James Claxton
Incident
Deputy Game Warden James Claxton was shot and killed in Carroll County as he and two other wardens served a warrant on a man for using a double-wing net in violation of state game laws.
When the game wardens entered the man's houseboat on the Ohio River, in Carrollton, he picked up a double-barreled shotgun and pointed it at them. Game Warden Claxton opened fire on the man, missing him but wounding his son. The subject fired his shotgun, striking Game Warden Claxton. Despite being mortally wounded, Game Warden Claxton returned fire and seriously wounded the subject.
Deputy Claxton was survived by his wife, two young children, and mother.
Survivors
Deputy Claxton was survived by his wife, two young children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8A6DA36A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 Game Warden Claxton served with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Claxton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Game Warden James Claxton 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 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Claxton's cause is highlighted.
How James Claxton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Claxton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Claxton was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
