Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable DeLaney was shot and killed while questioning a man about fire-crackers that had been thrown into a door at a dance at the Vina Town Hall at 10:30 pm. Constable DeLaney was inside the building and went out to ask who threw the fire-crackers. Constable DeLaney was confronted by a drunk male who he then tried to arrest. The suspect shot Constable DeLaney in the abdomen three times and then fled. Constable DeLaney succumbed to his wounds the following evening.
The suspect, 32, was later apprehended by a deputy constable. He was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in jail. He was released on April 24, 1912.
Constable DeLaney had been appointed constable in 1897.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-A2721A4B- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable DeLaney gave the Vina Township Constable's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vina community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable DeLaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James Henan DeLaney 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Henan DeLaney's cause is highlighted.
How James Henan DeLaney Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1912
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Henan DeLaney is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Henan DeLaney was killed by handgun.