Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Lucero 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 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 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Lucero's cause is highlighted.
How James Lucero Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Lucero is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Lucero was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
