Incident
Officer James Maroney was shot and killed while assisting Modoc County deputies in the arrest of an ex-convict in Alturas. Two days earlier the suspect had been released from the Oregon State Penitentiary where he had served a sentence for rape. When his victim reported that he was at her home, Officer Maroney responded there with deputies. As officers approached, the suspect opened fire with a rifle. Officer Maroney ducked behind a power pole, but was hit by a bullet that went through the pole, killing him instantly. The suspect then shot and killed himself. Officer Maroney was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the California Highway Patrol for three years and previously served with the Oakland Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-42A8B758- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Maroney gave the California Highway Patrol 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James E. Maroney served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Officer James E. Maroney 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James E. Maroney's cause is highlighted.
How James E. Maroney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Maroney is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Maroney was killed by rifle.
Military Service
James E. Maroney served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit James E. Maroney’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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