Jim Collins

Bell County Sheriff's Department — Pineville, KY

Felonious

End of Watch July 4, 1923

Age 53

The Vigil Panel 45 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 25

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Jim Collins was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire.

He was on duty at a local picnic area during Fourth of July celebrations when he heard the gunfire in the distance. He wad driven to the location and as he exited his vehicle two men immediately shot him before he could even draw his gun.

One of the subjects was sentenced to only two years in prison.

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 4th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-CB9EC690
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.
Deputy Sheriff Collins served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Collins.

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

Agency

Department Bell County Sheriff's Department

Location Pineville, KY

Platform Identity bcso.bell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 4, 1923

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to two years

Deputy Sheriff Jim Collins 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 Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.

Bell County Sheriff's Department

of 26 officers

92.3% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious