Roll of Honor
Incident
Private James Foley and Private Edward McNichols were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on the corner of Liberty and Broad Street in Savannah.
Around 11:00 p.m., a drunk off-duty police officer was brandishing his weapon after exiting a bar room. When Private Foley and Private McNichols attempted to take him into custody, the man shot both officers, who died instantly. He fired at another officer, with the bullet grazing his neck, but the officer was able to subdue and arrest him.
The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.
Private Foley had served with the Savannah Police Department for three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-B0CE2B4D- 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
160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private Foley served with the Savannah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private James Foley 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 Savannah Police Dept., 21 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Foley's cause is highlighted.
How James Foley Compares
Offender Outcome
10 years for manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Foley is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Foley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Savannah Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
