Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James Northcutt and Sergeant Steven Morgan were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. He and other officers had just arrived at the scene when several shots were fired by the suspect with an AR-15 assault rifle. Witnesses stated that when the suspect heard the sirens of the responding units he put down the handgun he was holding and picked up the rifle. As officers arrived on the scene he opened fire on them. Sergeant Morgan and Detective James Northcutt were both shot and killed and a third officer was wounded. The suspect, who was dressed in fatigues and wearing a bullet proof vest, was shot and killed by an off duty officer from another department who was nearby. Detective Northcutt had served with the Long Beach Police Department for one year and had served in law enforcement for 33 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-24FF57ED- 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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Northcutt gave the Long Beach Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Northcutt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James Franklin Northcutt 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Long Beach Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Franklin Northcutt's cause is highlighted.
How James Franklin Northcutt Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Franklin Northcutt is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Franklin Northcutt was killed by rifle; ar-15.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Long Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
