Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Detective

James Traver Kirk

Stanton Police Department — Stanton, KY

Cardiac

End of Watch February 11, 2020

Age 40

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

The Vigil Panel 171 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Detective James Kirk suffered a fatal heart attack following a struggle with an armed subject.

He had responded to back up other officers dealing with the non-compliant subject. After running to the officers a struggle ensued before the man was taken into custody.

The following day Detective Kirk had gone to the Powell County Courthouse to obtain a search warrant on an unrelated case. As he was leaving the courthouse he suddenly collapsed outside of the building. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detective Kirk had served in law enforcement in Powell County for 18 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, four daughters, grandson, mother, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-2CDAD258
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.
Detective Kirk gave the Stanton Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stanton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Kirk.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Stanton Police Department

Location Stanton, KY

Platform Identity spd.powell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 11, 2020

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Cause Detail Heart attack

Weapon Person

Detective James Traver Kirk is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In KY, 44 of 983 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.5 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

Stanton Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Cardiac

KY — Statewide

of 983 officers

4.5% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac

National Cause Distribution

How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Traver Kirk's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Traver Kirk Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Cardiac: 48.6 years

Years of Service