Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Hinkley was shot and killed at 2 am at 521 South Jefferson Street in Mason. Officer Hinkley was escorting a woman home from work at a restaurant who was fearful of her estranged husband's threats. The estranged husband attacked the two, and Officer Hinkley was shot in the stomach with a 12-gauge shotgun. Although mortally wounded, Officer Hinkley returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Hinkley had served with the Mason Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Michigan State Constabulary during WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-909E746F- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hinkley gave the Mason Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mason community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hinkley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Ray Hinkley 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ray Hinkley's cause is highlighted.
How James Ray Hinkley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Ray Hinkley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Ray Hinkley was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Mason Police Department are honored on badge.nw.