Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Mobley was shot and killed while he and his partner responded to a stabbing call at 540 Bolander Avenue. While en route to the scene they spotted a possible suspect. They stopped and placed the suspect in the back of the vehicle, then continued on to the scene. While they were driving, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot both officers in the back, fatally wounding Patrolman Mobley. His partner returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect. His partner recovered from his wound. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on March 25th, 1971. He died in prison on November 12th, 1971, from kidney disease. Patrolman Mobley had served with the Dayton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-504A488C- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Mobley gave the Dayton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mobley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Lee Mobley 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Dayton Police Department, 18 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Lee Mobley's cause is highlighted.
How James Lee Mobley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Lee Mobley is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Lee Mobley was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
