James Claxton

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources — Frankfort, KY

Felonious

End of Watch December 23, 1933

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 67 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Deputy Game Warden James Claxton was shot and killed in Carroll County as he and two other wardens served a warrant on a man for using a double-wing net in violation of state game laws.

When the game wardens entered the man's houseboat on the Ohio River, in Carrollton, he picked up a double-barreled shotgun and pointed it at them. Game Warden Claxton opened fire on the man, missing him but wounding his son. The subject fired his shotgun, striking Game Warden Claxton. Despite being mortally wounded, Game Warden Claxton returned fire and seriously wounded the subject.

Deputy Claxton was survived by his wife, two young children, and mother.

Survivors

Deputy Claxton was survived by his wife, two young children, and mother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-8A6DA36A
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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.
Deputy Game Warden Claxton served with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Claxton.

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

Agency

Department Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Location Frankfort, KY

Platform Identity kdfwrcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 23, 1933

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Shot and wounded

Deputy Game Warden James Claxton 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 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

of 9 officers

44.4% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious