Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Sweeney and Patrolman Bert Brannon were shot and killed by a group of vagrants they had just arrested from the Kansas City Railroad yards. They were walking the seven men to jail along with a third officer. As they neared the intersection of Second Street and Main Street, a half-block from the jail, one of the men suddenly produced a revolver and opened fire. Patrolman Sweeney and Patrolman Brannon were both fatally wounded. Patrolman Sweeney is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Joplin, Missouri.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MO-1C810ECB- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Sweeney served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sweeney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Sweeney 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Sweeney's cause is highlighted.
How James Sweeney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Sweeney is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Sweeney was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
