Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Kent was shot and killed by horse thieves after tracking them to Colorado, just across the state line near Chico. As Deputy Kent and two other officers approached the house of the suspects he was shot and killed. Another officer was also wounded, but recovered. The suspect's later surrendered after being surrounded. On March 19, 1910, Deputy Kent's killer, 22, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 5 to 7 years. He was paroled on April 10, 1913.
Survivors
Deputy Kent was survived by his wife and an infant son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-C88F2DD5- 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.
Deputy Kent served with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Kent.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy James I. Kent 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Union County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James I. Kent's cause is highlighted.
How James I. Kent Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James I. Kent is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James I. Kent was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
