Roll of Honor
Incident
Kimble County authorities received information that an army deserter had escaped from the jail at Rock Springs and boarded a freight wagon bound in the direction of Junction in Kimble County. Deputies Raymond James and J. W. Ragland, along with 2 freighters, were sent out to intercept the escapee.
When the suspect, Harrison S. McAlester, was located outside of Junction, he was ordered to stop and surrender. As McAlester stepped down from the wagon, he fired one shot from an army automatic pistol, which struck Deputy James in the abdomen. Deputy James was taken back to Junction, but later died on the operating table from the gunshot wound.
McAlester was overpowered and arrested by Deputy Ragland and taken to jail in Junction. McAlester stated he deserted from the U.S. Army in San Antonio on May 22. He was also suspected of being involved in two other murders in the Bexar County area involving several other deserters. McAlester was never charged in the Bexar County murders, however, his accomplices were.
Raymond Edison James was born at Pickton, Texas on September 16, 1887. He was married to Vara Pickett and had 2 children, Raymond, 3, and Vivian, 5. His mother, father, four brothers and one sister also survived him. He had only lived in Junction for one-and-one-half years. He was buried in the South Llano Cemetery.
Thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time can ever erase your memory and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 2nd, 2021
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- 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 James served with the Kimble County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Junction community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Raymond Edison James 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kimble County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Raymond Edison James's cause is highlighted.
How Raymond Edison James Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Raymond Edison James is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Raymond Edison James was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kimble County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
