Roll of Honor
James D. Delk
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Person Offender: Never identified
Special Agent James Delk was assaulted and beaten to death near the Riverside Drive bridge over Citico Creek in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He was found unconscious with a severe head injury at the end of the bridge. His service revolver was missing, but two other revolvers, hats and the remnants of a campfire were located at the scene of the struggle. Investigators believe he arrested two trespassers when he was attacked and beaten.
No suspects were ever identified or charged with Special Agent Delk's murder.
Special Agent Delk had previously served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-85317238- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Delk served with the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Delk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent James D. Delk 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James D. Delk's cause is highlighted.
How James D. Delk Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James D. Delk is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James D. Delk was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police are honored on badge.nw.
