Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Marchbanks was shot and killed after encountering a man carrying a .22 caliber rifle in a park at West Broad Street and Victory Drive. As Patrolman Marchbanks approached the man to question him the man took cover behind a tree and shot Patrolman Marchbanks twice. Patrolman Marchbanks was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. Patrolman Marchbanks was found a short time later and succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital. The suspect, who was on parole for a murder in Chicago, was apprehended two months later and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Survivors
Patrolman Marchbanks had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-52CD6FFB- 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.
Patrolman Marchbanks gave the Savannah Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Marchbanks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Franklin Marchbanks 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Savannah Police Department, 21 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Franklin Marchbanks's cause is highlighted.
How James Franklin Marchbanks Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Franklin Marchbanks is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Franklin Marchbanks was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Savannah Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
