Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman James Norton was assaulted and suffered a fatal stab wound as he and another watchman attempted to serve a warrant on a man at the Eclipse Racecourse in Carrollton.
He and another officer had gone to the racecourse, bounded by the modern-day Lowerline Street, Pine Street, and Levee Street, to arrest the man who had recently been released from jail. As the other officer arrested the man, a second subject struck Watchman Norton on the back of the head with a club. One of the men then stabbed Watchman Norton, killing him. The other officer was severely injured.
The man was arrested and charged with Watchman Norton's murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death in June 1841.
Watchman Norton served the First Municipality during the period when New Orleans was divided into three municipalities.
Watchman Norton, On today, the 185th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New Orleans.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) December 24th, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-LA-D8CF5C33- 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
186 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Norton gave the New Orleans Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman James Norton 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Norton's cause is highlighted.
How James Norton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Norton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Norton was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
