Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

James C. Clem

Poor Fork Police Department — Cumberland, KY

Felonious

End of Watch July 15, 1925

Age 40

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 49 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Jim Clem was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was wanted in connection with a disturbance.

Two of the suspect's brothers were shot and killed during the ensuing search for the man. On September 2, 1928, several officers in Letcher County went to the man's home in search for him. While inside, Deputy Sheriff Joner Cornett was shot and killed. No one witnessed the shooting in which Deputy Cornett was killed and the suspect was able to escape unseen.

Approximately two months later the subject was located a moonshine still and killed in a shootout with deputies.

Patrolman Clem was survived by his wife. Poor Fork was renamed to Cumberland in 1926.

Survivors

Patrolman Clem was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-64A54E09
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 Clem gave the Poor Fork Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cumberland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Clem.

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

Agency

Department Poor Fork Police Department

Location Cumberland, KY

Platform Identity pfpd.harlan.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 15, 1925

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed in 1928

Patrolman James C. Clem 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 Poor Fork 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.

Poor Fork 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 C. Clem'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 C. Clem Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed in 1928

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James C. Clem is highlighted in Jul.

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 C. Clem was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Poor Fork Police Department are honored on badge.nw.