Roll of Honor

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Police Officer

James F. Duffin

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch January 14, 1973

Age 31

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Badge 3927

The Vigil Panel 111 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 377

Incident

Police Officer James Duffin was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop on Limekiln Pike near Ridley Street. Officer Duffin and his partner, Police Officer John Reid, witnessed a vehicle make an illegal turn. As both officers were speaking to the driver with the vehicle's front door open, they were struck by an oncoming vehicle. Officer Duffin was dragged over 50 feet by the car and died at the scene. Due to the impact, Officer Reid was thrown and suffered a fractured skull. He underwent multiple surgeries to treat his head injuries and succumbed to his injuries seven years later. The drunk driver was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. The 30-year-old man had been driving without a license since he was 14 when he was convicted of DWI. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and DWI and sentenced to 6 to 12 months in the county jail. Two years later, he was convicted of his 3rd DWI and sentenced to one to 2 years. Officer Duffin was a United States Navy veteran who had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 6 years and received four commendations and six letters of commendation.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-54D1CCE5
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. Navy. 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.
Police Officer Duffin gave the Philadelphia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 14, 1973

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 31

Badge Number 3927

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Military Service

James F. Duffin served in the U.S. Navy (1958â1962) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Police Officer James F. Duffin 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious