Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper James Grady Sutton and Chief Daniel Law, of the Harrisburg Police Department, were shot and killed during an arrest. As Trooper Grady and Chief Law were escorting three suspects in a stolen car to jail, the violators drew weapons and opened fire on the officers. The officers stopped the vehicle at Poplar and Vine Streets, directing the driver to City Hall for further questioning. Trooper Sutton stood on the left running board and Chief Law on the right running board of the vehicle. As the vehicle approached City Hall, the driver stepped on the accelerator and the men drew weapons, killing both officers. Trooper Sutton was struck in the chest and fell to the street near City Hall. Before being shot in the head and body, Chief Law was able to cling to the vehicle for four blocks, exchanging gunfire with the suspects and killing one of them until finally dropping from the vehicle. Trooper Sutton died from his wounds following emergency surgery shortly after midnight. The suspect killed by Chief Law was found in the abandoned vehicle ten miles north of Harrisburg. The other two fugitives, 25 and 30, were later captured; one in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 8, 1932, and the other in Sheridan, Wyoming, on January 8, 1933. They were returned to Illinois for trial where they both were convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. They both were granted new trials and sentenced to life. The youngest suspect was paroled on April 29, 1946. On April 20, 1949, he and another man robbed a bar in Detroit. After a wild chase with Detroit Police both were arrested. During the arrest Trooper Sutton's and Chief Law's killer was shot in the foot twice. He was charge with armed robbery as well as other serious charges. The next day he was charged with an armed robbery in Greenville. The other suspect convicted with him was was denied parole in 1945. Trooper Sutton and Chief Law were buried in adjoining plots in Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg. Trooper Sutto
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-964F0D5D- 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.
Trooper Sutton gave the Illinois State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Sutton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper James Grady Sutton 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%.
At Illinois State Police, 17 of 67 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Grady Sutton's cause is highlighted.
How James Grady Sutton Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Grady Sutton is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Grady Sutton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
66 officers from Illinois State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
