Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer James Bryant was shot and killed after being ambushed by a man who was being evicted.
The officer was accompanying a property owner to remove a renter's trailer off of the property. The renter, who was aware that officers would be coming, hid a deer rifle in the woods behind the trailer. As Officer Bryant approached, the renter ran behind the trailer and Officer Bryant gave chase. The renter then retrieved the rifle and shot Officer Bryant three times, once in each arm and once in the head.
Staff Sergeant Clyde Merritt, of the Coffee County Sheriff's Office, was later shot and killed after responding to the assistance call.
The shooter, 55, was subsequently arrested after being surrounded by officers from several agencies. On November 15, 2006, he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Bryant worked part-time for the Broxton Police Department, which has five full and part-time officers and was a full-time officer with the Lumber City Police Department.
He had been in law enforcement for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-F6557058- 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.
Patrol Officer Bryant gave the Broxton Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Broxton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Bryant.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer James Clinton Bryant 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 Broxton Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Clinton Bryant's cause is highlighted.
How James Clinton Bryant Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Clinton Bryant is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Broxton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
