Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police James Sexton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for assaulting his wife. As he placed the man in custody, the man pulled out a handgun and shot him three times.
The man then took Chief Sexton's gun from its holster and shot him one more time with it. The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life.
Chief Sexton was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Chief Sexton was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-631AB96F- 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.
Chief of Police Sexton served with the Ravenna Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ravenna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sexton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Sexton 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ravenna Police Department, 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 Sexton's cause is highlighted.
How James Sexton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Sexton is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Sexton was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ravenna Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
