Roll of Honor
James Frank Surrency
Incident
Chief of Police James Surrency succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while responding to a murder scene on December 2, 1930. While off duty, Chief Surrency responded to a possible murder call at the residence of a man he knew. Within moments of his arrival, Chief Surrency was wounded by gunfire from the suspect. He was transported to a Jacksonville hospital, where he later died from five gunshot wounds. Other officers, responding to the scene, found that the suspect had killed two more people, a man and a woman. The suspect was convicted of three counts of murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 1939 and was still in prison in 1940. Chief Surrency was a World War I veteran and had served with the Fernandina Beach Police Department for 20 years. At the time of his death, he held both the Police and Fire Chief positions. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three grandsons. Chief Surrency was a World War I Veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three grandsons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-2E58E567- 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.
Chief of Police Surrency gave the Fernandina Beach Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fernandina Beach community, and for your service before it. 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 Frank Surrency served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police James Frank Surrency 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 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 Frank Surrency's cause is highlighted.
How James Frank Surrency Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Frank Surrency is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Frank Surrency was killed by gun; unknown type.