Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Sawyer was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at a local saloon. The suspects were able to take Officer Sawyer hostage. They then took him to a nearby hillside where they shot and killed him with execution style with his own weapon. The suspect was convicted of Officer Sawyer's murder and sentenced to life without parole. Officer Sawyer had served with the Custer Police Department for 2 years.
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BO-US-SD-0ABAEF8E- Stewardship
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- 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.
Police Officer Sawyer gave the Custer Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Custer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sawyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Thomas Sawyer 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 SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 58.1 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 Thomas Sawyer's cause is highlighted.
How James Thomas Sawyer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Thomas Sawyer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Thomas Sawyer was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Custer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.