Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James McCracken was shot and killed during an armed robbery as he escorted two men to a bank to make a deposit.
The male suspects, who fled the scene with $747, later shot and killed Patrolman Charles Holt, of the Springfield, Ohio, Police Department, on June 29, 1932. One suspect was apprehended in Indianapolis within days while the other two were captured in Effingham, Illinois, a month later.
The suspects were extradicted to Ohio where one offender was convicted of an unrelated armed robbery charge. The second offender pleaded guilty to shooting with intent to kill, sentenced to life in prison and was paroled in 1945. The third offender was found guilty of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison and was pardoned in 1959.
Patrolman McCracken had served with the Muncie Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-6DBA4CB3- 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.
Patrolman McCracken gave the Muncie Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muncie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McCracken.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Ovid McCracken 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 Muncie Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ovid McCracken's cause is highlighted.
How James Ovid McCracken Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1959
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Ovid McCracken is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Ovid McCracken was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Muncie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
