James Lucero
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

James Lucero

Ford County Sheriff's Office — Dodge City, KS
Felonious
End of Watch January 3, 1922
Age 49
Tour of Duty 2 mo
The Vigil Panel 42 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff James Lucero succumbed to a gunshot wound he received when he was shot by a drunk subject in Dodge City.

The subject was causing a disturbance at a store, and Deputy Lucero transported him back to his home instead of arresting him for being drunk and disorderly. At some point, a scuffle ensued, and the subject shot Deputy Lucero in the head. The subject fled but was apprehended in Beeson.

Deputy Lucero succumbed to his gunshot wound to his head the next day.

The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years.

Deputy Lucero served with the Ford County Sheriff's Office for two months and also served as a special officer in Santa Fe, Kansas.

Survivors

He was survived by three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-48F69ECF
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Lucero served with the Ford County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Dodge City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lucero.

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

Agency

Location Dodge City, KS
Platform Identity fcso.ford.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 3, 1922
Tour of Duty 2 mo
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Deputy Sheriff James Lucero 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Ford County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Ford County Sheriff's Office
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
KS — Statewide
237
of 335 officers
70.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Lucero's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James Lucero Compares

Age at End of Watch
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Lucero is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Lucero was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Ford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.