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James Russell Ward
Sergeant

James Russell Ward

Montgomery Police Dept. — Montgomery, AL
Felonious
United States flag Alabama flag
End of Watch October 3, 1994
Age 38
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 140 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 27

Incident

Sergeant James Ward was shot and killed while chasing two robbery suspects. Both suspects were apprehended and charged with his murder. The suspect who shot Sergeant Ward was sentenced to death, but later died in prison while on death row. Sergeant Ward had served with the Montgomery Police Department for 12 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-F8BFBFDF
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 Ward gave the Montgomery Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montgomery community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ward.

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

Agency

Department Montgomery Police Dept.
Location Montgomery, AL
Platform Identity mpd.montgomery.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1994
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Died in prison

Sergeant James Russell Ward 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%.

At Montgomery Police Dept., 16 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.

Montgomery Police Dept.
16
of 28 officers
57.1% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Russell Ward's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James Russell Ward Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Russell Ward is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Russell Ward was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518