Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Kempson was shot and killed near Haralson while attempting to serve a warrant on a man wanted for theft.
The man was accused of stealing gasoline from a county-owned tractor parked on Gordon Road. Deputy Kempson located the man in a field nearby and advised him he was under arrest, at which point the man asked that the warrant be read to him. As Deputy Kempson read the warrant the man pulled out a gun and shot him several times. The man then took Deputy Kempson's gun and shot him several more times as he lay in a ditch.
Deputy Kempson was taken to his home where he succumbed to his wounds four days later. The suspect was shot and killed by a posse.
Deputy Kempson had served with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-D611140F- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Kempson gave the Coweta County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newnan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kempson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Albert Kempson 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 Coweta County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Albert Kempson's cause is highlighted.
How James Albert Kempson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Albert Kempson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Albert Kempson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coweta County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
