Jim Collins
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Jim Collins

Felonious
End of Watch July 4, 1923
Age 53
The Vigil Panel 45 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Jim Collins was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire.

He was on duty at a local picnic area during Fourth of July celebrations when he heard the gunfire in the distance. He wad driven to the location and as he exited his vehicle two men immediately shot him before he could even draw his gun.

One of the subjects was sentenced to only two years in prison.

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 4th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-CB9EC690
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.
Deputy Sheriff Collins served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Collins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Pineville, Bell County, KY
Platform Identity bcso.bell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 4, 1923
Age 53
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Jim Collins 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 Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.

Bell County Sheriff's Department
24
of 26 officers
92.3% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jim Collins's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Jim Collins Compares

Age at Death
53
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jim Collins is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jim Collins was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909