Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Mitchell was stabbed to death while arresting a drunk man on Central Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. During the arrest one of the man's friends stabbed Chief Mitchell in the back with a butcher knife. Although mortally wounded, Chief Mitchell was able to shoot and kill the suspect who stabbed him. Chief Mitchell was the city's first police chief after the city became incorporated in 1903 and had previously served as special officer and special deputy for Hillsborough County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-940ECABB- 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.
Chief of Police Mitchell gave the St. Petersburg Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Petersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Mitchell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James J. Mitchell 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%.
At St. Petersburg Police Department, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Mitchell's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Mitchell Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Mitchell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Mitchell was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from St. Petersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
