Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Clark was shot and killed after he stopped a car suspected of hauling bootleg liquor. He was shot with his service revolver during a scuffle with the suspect. The 17 year-old suspect was apprehended two days later by two state troopers in Byhalia, Mississippi. He had Sergeant Clark's service revolver in his possession when arrested. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on October 8, 1957. He was later awarded a retrial and again was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on December 9, 1969. The suspect, who always maintained that the gun went off accidentally, was awarded a third trial in 1972 which resulted in an acquittal. Sergeant Clark had served with the agency for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-8BE0B923- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Clark gave the Lipscomb Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lipscomb community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Clark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James B. Clark is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James B. Clark's cause is highlighted.
How James B. Clark Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1972
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. Clark is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James B. Clark was killed by officer's handgun.