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Deputy Keeper

James B. Lippincott

New Jersey Department of Corrections — Trenton, NJ

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 2, 1894

Age 56

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 12 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 31

Incident

Deputy Keeper Lippincott was shot and killed by an inmate attempting to escape from the Trenton State Prison (now known as New Jersey State Prison). The inmate had manufactured a saw from watch and clock springs and was able to saw through the bars of his cell. When an officer approached the cell on his regular rounds, the inmate attacked him and took his gun. The inmate fled. The officer was able to crawl to an electronic alarm button in one of the walls and sound the alarm.

Deputy Lippincott, heard the alarm and ran toward the cell block. In an anti-room, he took an iron bar out of the door and, revolver in hand, continued on. He went only a few more yards when he came face to face with the inmate. The sudden meeting with the inmate surprised Deputy Lippincott, but not the inmate, who fired his gun. The shots struck Deputy Lippincott in the leg and back. Deputy Lippincott was able to return fire before he died. His shot grazed the inmate in the forehead.

Within a few moments, a half-dozen keepers arrived with guns drawn. The inmate fired twice at them, missing with both shots. One keeper returned fire, striking the inmate in the chest. The other keepers subdued the inmate and took him into custody. It was later discovered that the inmate had padded his clothes with books and papers and was not injured by the gunshot to the chest.

The prisoner was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 20th, 1894.

Deputy Keeper Lippincott was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Civil War and had served with the New Jersey State Penitentiary for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and seven children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NJ-92FA95A5
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Keeper Lippincott gave the New Jersey Department of Corrections 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department New Jersey Department of Corrections

Location Trenton, NJ

Platform Identity njdcorr.mercer.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 2, 1894

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed on July 20, 1894

Military Service

James B. Lippincott served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Keeper James B. Lippincott 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Jersey Department of Corrections, 16 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

New Jersey Department of Corrections

of 32 officers

50% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious