Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Parsons was shot and killed while watching a man at a local hotel who had made obscene remarks to several children. The man became disorderly and Marshal Parsons attempted to place him under arrest. A shootout ensued and Marshal Parsons was struck in the chest and fatally wounded. The suspect fled into the woods with a posse in pursuit of him. On September 22, 1904, he was apprehended in Texas. Marshal Parsons was survived by seven children. He was preceded in death by his wife.
Survivors
Marshal Parsons was survived by seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-13062796- 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.
Marshal Parsons served with the Centralia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Centralia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Parsons.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal James C. A. Parsons 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Centralia Police Department, 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 C. A. Parsons's cause is highlighted.
How James C. A. Parsons Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James C. A. Parsons is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James C. A. Parsons was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Centralia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
