Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Williams was shot and killed by a sniper while he was searching for a gun along I-580 near 38th Avenue.
He and another officer were searching a portion of a highway where two suspects tossed a shotgun out of their vehicle window during an earlier police chase. During the search, a subject on an overpass opened fire on both officers with a high-powered rifle. Officer Williams was struck in the chest and the round penetrated his vest. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The other officer was shot but the round was stopped by his handcuff case. The subject was a friend of the original suspects and decided to shoot at the officers to aid the suspects in escaping. The man was arrested and charged with capital murder. He plead guilty to second-degree murder towards the end of his trial to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to life without parole.
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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 Williams served with the Oakland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Williams Jr. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Williams Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James Williams Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Williams Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Oakland Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
