James Harold Cobb
Inspector

James Harold Cobb

Felonious
End of Watch February 24, 1977
Age 38
The Vigil Panel 209 ›
Gender Male

Incident

On patrol with two Constables they were opening a security barrier at Church Place in Lurgan when terrorist gunmen opened fire with high velocity rounds, firing over 20 rounds at the police officers.

Inspector Cobb was killed and both the Constables seriously injured. The two gunmen were behind the officers and after opening fire disappeared off into the surrounding streets.

From County Laois, Ireland he resided in Hillsborough, Co Down and survived by his wife and their three children. He was buried in St John’s Parish Churchyard local to his home.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-GB-RUC-4C9F00C0
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.
Inspector Cobb served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Cobb.

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

Agency

Location NIR
Platform Identity ruc.bfs.nir.gb.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 24, 1977
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Homicide - Shot

Inspector James Harold Cobb 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 97,775 officers honored here.

In NIR, 422 of 599 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.5% of this state's fallen. That is 70.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, 351 of 469 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.8% of this agency's fallen.

Royal Ulster Constabulary GC
351
of 469 officers
74.8% Felonious
NIR — Statewide
422
of 599 officers
70.5% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,775 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

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

How James Harold Cobb Compares

Age at Death
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Harold Cobb is highlighted in Feb.

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.

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