Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Hess was shot and killed with his own handgun after responding to a disturbance call at a saloon in the 1300 block of Dickinson Street. The saloon owner and his bartender were arrested for his murder but they were not charged and were later released.
Survivors
Officer Hess served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 months and was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-1A44E4BB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hess served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James J. Hess 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 97,756 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Hess's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Hess Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Hess is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Hess was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
