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Patrolman

James Arthur Bennett, Jr.

Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA

Felonious

End of Watch May 24, 2015

Age 45

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

The Vigil Panel 164 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman James Bennett was shot and killed from ambush while working an overtime detail at a construction site of the Guste Homes Public Housing Complex.

Patrolman Bennett was patrolling a site where homes were being built when he was shot and killed by an unknown person. Patrolman Bennett's patrol car was found crashed near the intersection of Erato Street and Freret Street shortly after 7:00 am. Responding Officers found Patrolman Bennett inside the patrol car fatally wounded.

Patrolman Bennett had served with the Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for 13 years.

Just watched this case and I can’t only hope who ever did this senseless act of violence towards you got the punishment they deserved.

Aysha/ Dispatch Supervisor NPD October 4th, 2025

In Our Keeping

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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.
Patrolman Bennett gave the Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bennett.

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

Agency

Department Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department

Location New Orleans, LA

Platform Identity hanopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 24, 2015

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender At large

Patrolman James Arthur Bennett, Jr. 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%.

Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% 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 Arthur Bennett, Jr.'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 Arthur Bennett, Jr. 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

At large

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Arthur Bennett, Jr. 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 Arthur Bennett, Jr. 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