James W. Stokes

Columbus Police Dept. — Columbus, GA

Felonious

End of Watch May 22, 1920

Age 38

The Vigil Panel 39 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 25

Incident

Police Officer James Stokes and Police Officer Charles Harvey were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspected liquor runner at the corner of 5th Avenue and 16th Street. The suspect produced a handgun and shot both officers. Officer Harvey died at the scene and Officer Stokes died of his wounds two days later. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested a few days later. He was sentenced to death for the murders and later executed.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-GA-6BA32412
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.
Police Officer Stokes served with the Columbus Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stokes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Columbus Police Dept.

Location Columbus, GA

Platform Identity cpd.muscogee.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 22, 1920

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed

Police Officer James W. Stokes 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Columbus Police Dept., 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.

Columbus Police Dept.

of 26 officers

73.1% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious