Roll of Honor
James Edward Roberts
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Civilian James Edward Roberts 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 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 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edward Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward Roberts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Roberts is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Roberts was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Morris County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.