Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Chief of Police

James Sexton

Ravenna Police Department — Ravenna, KY

Felonious

End of Watch May 27, 1922

Age 54

The Vigil Panel 43 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Chief of Police James Sexton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for assaulting his wife. As he placed the man in custody, the man pulled out a handgun and shot him three times.

The man then took Chief Sexton's gun from its holster and shot him one more time with it. The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life.

Chief Sexton was survived by his wife and five children.

Survivors

Chief Sexton was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-631AB96F
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.
Chief of Police Sexton served with the Ravenna Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ravenna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sexton.

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

Agency

Department Ravenna Police Department

Location Ravenna, KY

Platform Identity rpd.estill.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 27, 1922

Age 54

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Chief of Police James Sexton 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 Ravenna Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Ravenna Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Sexton'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 Sexton Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Sexton is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Sexton was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Ravenna Police Department are honored on badge.nw.