James Holmes

New York City Housing Authority Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 23, 1986

Age 47

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Badge 2875

The Vigil Panel 130 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 18

Incident

Police Officer James Holmes was shot and killed while off-duty when a man attempted to rob him around 10:15 p.m. Officer Holmes was visiting a friend at 361 Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn. After entering the building, he was approached by a man who attempted to rob him. Officer Holmes resisted, and the suspect was able to knock Officer Holmes unconscious. The suspect then stole Officer Holmes' firearm and fled. He immediately returned and shot Officer Holmes multiple times in the stomach and chest, killing him. The suspect, 21, was arrested after he told his probation officer that he thought he might be wanted for killing a police officer. He was later convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 32 1/2 years to life in prison. He has a parole hearing in July of 2023. Officer Holmes had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to Service Area 3. He was survived by his wife and four children. His son also served with the New York City Housing Authority, and a grandchild served in law enforcement.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-D64F7D8C
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.
Police Officer Holmes gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Holmes.

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

Agency

Department New York City Housing Authority Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nyhapd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 23, 1986

Tour of Duty 17 yrs

Age 47

Badge Number 2875

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 32.5 years in prison

Police Officer James Holmes 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Housing Authority Police Department, 13 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.4% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Housing Authority Police Department

of 19 officers

68.4% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious