Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Ford was shot and killed from ambush as he and his partner were on patrol.
The previous night, Patrolman Ford's partner had arrested a man for carrying a concealed weapon. The man had been released from jail shortly after midnight. As the officers patrolled the city, they observed the man run from the front steps of his brother's home. When the officers stopped to investigate, they were immediately fired upon from several different directions.
Patrolman Ford was shot several times. He was taken to Harlan City Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries one hour later.
The suspect, who ran from the officers and four family members, was arrested and charged with Patrolman Ford's murder. The suspect, who claimed self-defense, was tried and acquitted. On April 21, 1951, he shot and killed a former Harlan police officer. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In 1955 he received a new trial, was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to ten years. He was paroled in 1960.
Patrolman Ford was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Harlan Police Department for only five days. He had previously served as the police chief in Evarts, Kentucky.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-0A0D8AFA- 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.
Patrolman Ford served with the Harlan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan 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 Edwin Ford served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James Edwin Ford 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harlan Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edwin Ford's cause is highlighted.
How James Edwin Ford Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edwin Ford is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edwin Ford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Harlan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
