Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Edgar succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 4 days earlier, when he and his partner attempted to arrest five men they had discovered burglarizing a grocery store at the intersection of Ringgold and Monmouth Streets.
When the burglars were discovered, they attempted to flee and a shootout ensued between them and the two officers. Officer Edgar was struck once in the abdomen.
He was taken across the street to a doctor's home and then taken to his home where he remained until he died.
Officer Edgar was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War and had served with the Newport Police Department for only 11 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2E03C20F- 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.
Police Officer Edgar served with the Newport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Newport 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 Edgar served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer James Edgar 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 Newport Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edgar's cause is highlighted.
How James Edgar Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edgar is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edgar was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Newport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
