Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Shellenbarger succumbed to gunshot wounds when he was shot on May 31, 1905.
He was shot in the abdomen as he attempted to arrest a man on a charge of assault with intent to kill.
Sheriff Shellenbarger was removed to the hospital, but his condition was too critical to attempt to remove the bullet. When doctors were finally able to remove the bullet, they found a massive infection, and Sheriff Shellenbarger died as a result of that infection.
The shooter had previously shot at another officer years before. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years. On July 2, 1917, he was pardoned by Governor James M. Cox.
Sheriff Shellenbarger had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-29CBC03E- Stewardship
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- 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 Shellenbarger gave the Knox County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mt. Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Shellenbarger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Shellenbarger 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Shellenbarger's cause is highlighted.
How James Shellenbarger Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1917
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Shellenbarger is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Shellenbarger was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.