Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Cochran was stabbed to death by a prisoner while transporting the man to another location.
The prisoner, who was not restrained, produced a concealed knife and stabbed the sheriff several times. The man escaped but was apprehended a short time later.
The suspect was sent to a mental institution, where he died on September 11, 1872, from consumption.
Sheriff Cochran had been with the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8284B47E- 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
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Cochran gave the Trinity County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Weaverville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Cochran 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Trinity County Sheriff's Department, 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. James Cochran's cause is highlighted.
How James Cochran Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental institution
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Cochran is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Cochran was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Trinity County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
