Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Stokes and Police Officer Charles Harvey were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspected liquor runner at the corner of 5th Avenue and 16th Street. The suspect produced a handgun and shot both officers. Officer Harvey died at the scene and Officer Stokes died of his wounds two days later. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested a few days later. He was sentenced to death for the murders and later executed.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-6BA32412- 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.
Police Officer Stokes served with the Columbus Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stokes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James W. Stokes 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Columbus Police Department, 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Stokes's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Stokes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Stokes is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Stokes was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
