Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective J.J. Biello succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on April 15th, 1987, while working a secondary employment job at Provino’s Italian Restaurant at 4387 Roswell Road NE.
An armed juvenile entered the restaurant and announced a robbery. As he had an employee remove money from the cash register Detective Biello approached him from behind and identified himself. The juvenile turned around and opened fire, striking Detective Biello in the chest and abdomen. Detective Biello was able to return fire, wounding the suspect who then shot him in the neck and fled.
As the subject left the scene another officer fired shots at him. The injured suspect was arrested a short time later.
Detective Biello's wounds rendered him a quadriplegic and he was confined to a wheelchair. On July 28th, 2019, he succumbed to complications from the original gunshot wounds.
The subject who shot him was convicted of aggravated assault and armed robbery and sentenced to 60 years following the initial incident.
At the time of the shooting Detective Biello had served with the Atlanta Police Department for 15 years.
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- 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.
Detective Biello gave the Atlanta Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Biello.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James Joseph Biello 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 Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Joseph Biello's cause is highlighted.
How James Joseph Biello Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Joseph Biello is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Joseph Biello was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
