Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Chief James Paulk was shot and killed while investigating reports of a man being shoved out of his taxi and being robbed by another man. As he and another officer were at the scene of the incident, the witnesses observed the cab driving on Illinois Route 37 and pointed it out to the officers. Night Chief Paulk and the other officer stopped the cab at the Orient No. 2 mine entrance, and as they approached the cab, the driver opened fire, striking Night Chief Paulk in the heart. Night Chief Paulk and the other officer returned fire but did not strike the suspect. The suspect had stolen the cab from the regular driver, who was seated in the passenger seat. The man fled the scene but was later arrested. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was paroled on March 7, 1968. Night Chief Paulk was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the West Frankfort Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-90BDED2C- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Night Chief Paulk gave the West Frankfort Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Frankfort community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James J. Paulk served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Night Chief James J. Paulk 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 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 J. Paulk's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Paulk Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1968
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Paulk is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Paulk was killed by gun; unknown type.