Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Deputized Civilian

James Edward Roberts

Morris County Sheriff's Office — Council Grove, KS

Felonious

End of Watch May 12, 1900

Age 51

The Vigil Panel 16 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Deputized Civilian James Roberts was shot and killed while he and another member of a posse searched for two escaped prisoners from Marysville.

The shooting occurred when the two posse members were on a railroad bridge near Dunlap. When Mr. Roberts looked over the edge of the bridge, he was shot by one of the suspects who was hiding underneath.

The two escapees were apprehended two days later. One of the men was sentenced to life in prison, but escaped twice. After returning to jail in 1918, he escaped again in 1920.

Deputy Roberts was survived by his wife and several children.

Survivors

Deputy Roberts was survived by his wife and several children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KS-4CCE29DC
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputized Civilian Roberts served with the Morris County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Council Grove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputized Civilian Roberts.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Morris County Sheriff's Office

Location Council Grove, KS

Platform Identity mcso.morris.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 12, 1900

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputized Civilian James Edward Roberts 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 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 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Morris County Sheriff's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

KS — Statewide

237

of 335 officers

70.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edward Roberts's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Edward Roberts Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Roberts is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Roberts was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518