Roll of Honor
James Terry Abbott
Incident
Location: Overseas Weapon: Rifle; M-16 Offender: Not available
Special Agent James Abbott was shot and killed in the Thua Thien province of Vietnam while attempting to disarm a soldier who had taken a hostage in an observation tower at Camp Evans.
The soldier had threatened his commanding officer and first sergeant before climbing into the observation tower with his M-16 rifle.
Agent Abbott was called to the location and attempted to talk the soldier into releasing the hostage. He was able to gain access to the tower and while talking with the subject attempted to disarm him. During the struggle, Agent Abbott was shot and killed.
Agent Abbott was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal. Agent Abbott was also awarded the Bronze Medal for his heroic actions. Additionally, the U.S. Army named the CIS Building at Fort Knox, Ky. after him.
I met SA Abbott when I was on a 4 day pass to exchange CID cars at the Paris Branch Office. I spend part of a day with him and his lovely wife. They were so in love. I later read in the Army Times that he had been murdered.
Fr. David Ownby, SA (Ret), US Army CID St George's Anglican Church, Ocala, FL January 9th, 2024
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-924914A1- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Abbott served with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Terry Abbott served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent James Terry Abbott 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Terry Abbott's cause is highlighted.
How James Terry Abbott Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Terry Abbott is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Terry Abbott was killed by rifle; m-16.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from United States Army Criminal Investigation Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
