Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Posey was shot and killed after voluntarily taking the place of four hostages at a roadblock on Jackson Liberty Drive, at Bogue Chitto Road, in Lincoln County. The subject had abducted a woman and her three children from Franklin County earlier in the day during an attempt to extort them. The man fired at Sheriff Posey and a Franklin County constable as they attempted to arrest him following the initial abduction. The man was able to escape with the hostages and fled in a stolen car. Members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol setup roadblocks throughout the area, including one on Liberty Jackson Road. The vehicle came to a stop at the roadblock and Sheriff Posey was called to the scene. Upon his arrival he volunteered to exchange himself for the hostages. Moments after the exchange the man shot Sheriff Posey in the chest as they both sat in a police car at a roadblock in Lincoln County. After Sheriff Posey fell from the car other deputies returned fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Posey was serving his second term as sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two teenage children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-B04618F9- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Posey served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Meadville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Posey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Posey 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Posey's cause is highlighted.
How James Posey Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Posey is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Posey was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Franklin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
