Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Hughes was shot and killed while responding to a call for service at the Cook’s Ice Cream Parlor, located at the corner of Ash Avenue and Van Horn Road (modern-day Truman Road) in Independence.
While investigating reports of an intruder, Deputy Hughes woke a sleeping 19-year-old employee and family member inside the business. The employee shot and killed Deputy Hughes, believing he was a burglar. The shooter was not charged.
Deputy Hughes was survived by his wife and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Hughes was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-F8F57E6E- 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 Hughes served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lee's Summit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Hughes 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jackson County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Hughes's cause is highlighted.
How James Hughes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Hughes is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
