Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police James Kirwin succumbed to wounds sustained six years earlier when he was struck in the head with a hatchet while attempting to make an arrest of a drunk man.
Chief Kirwin and other officers had gone to a barn in the downtown district after being notified that a man inside had assaulted another man with the hatchet.
When Chief Kirwin arrived at the barn he was struck in the head. The subject then struck the other officer in the arm. The officer shot the man once but did not immediately stop him. When the man lunged at the officer again, he emptied his revolver at the man, killing him.
Chief Kirwin was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Survivors
Chief Kirwin was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-9337001A- 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.
Chief of Police Kirwin served with the Crisfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Crisfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Kirwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Washington Kirwin 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Crisfield Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Washington Kirwin's cause is highlighted.
How James Washington Kirwin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Washington Kirwin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Washington Kirwin was killed by edged weapon; hatchet.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Crisfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
