Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal James Payne was shot and killed after he arrested an ex-convict for the burglary of a local store the previous evening.
Marshal Payne took the suspect into custody, and as they proceeded to walk toward the jail at about 1:00 pm, the suspect pulled a revolver at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, fatally wounding the marshal. The suspect held back a gathering crowd, firing at three citizens who came to assist Marshal Payne as he lay dying in the street. The suspect fled from the town but was shot and wounded during his escape.
The suspect, who had been released from prison six months earlier after serving a two-year sentence for burglary, was captured three days later by police in Tiffin, Ohio. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on August 28, 1941.
He was a Civil War Veteran, having served with the 140th Indiana Infantry, Company C. The men he served with played a big part in having the suspect's parole denied many times.
Marshal Payne was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Marshal Payne was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-0BF9E9C8- 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 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.
Town Marshal Payne gave the Fairmount Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairmount community. Thank you 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 Joshua Payne served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Town Marshal James Joshua Payne 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Fairmount Police Department, 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 Joshua Payne's cause is highlighted.
How James Joshua Payne Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Joshua Payne is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Joshua Payne was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fairmount Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
