Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief James Emerson was shot and killed while investigating the sound of a gunshot while on routine patrol. He heard the shot as he drove through a residential area of the city and turned around to investigate. He observed a man standing on a porch holding a shotgun and told him to stop. The man then fired at Chief Emerson, killing him. The killer, 29, was arrested a short time later following a manhunt involving several agencies. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1972 his sentence was commuted to life. Chief Emerson had previously served with the Sylvester Police Department and Bainbridge Police Departments.
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- 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 Emerson served with the Warwick Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Warwick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Emerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Howard Emerson 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Howard Emerson's cause is highlighted.
How James Howard Emerson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Howard Emerson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Howard Emerson was killed by shotgun.