Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James Lance was shot and killed at approximately 1:30 am after stopping a car on Goodman Road that matched the description of one used in several armed robberies in Memphis, Tennessee. As he was handcuffing the male passenger, the female driver exited the vehicle and opened fire on him, striking him several times. He was able to return fire but did not strike the shooter. The suspects were later apprehended and convicted of his murder. The male was sentenced to 20 years in prison as a habitual offender. The shooter was sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned, and she was given life in prison. She was paroled in 2021 and died in 2025. Lieutenant Lance had served with the Southaven Police Department and previously served with the Senatobia Police Department. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and his mother. His oldest son also pursued a career in law enforcement, serving as the Sheriff of the Tate County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-ED9C2614- 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.
Lieutenant Lance gave the Southaven Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Southaven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Lance.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant James William "Billy" Lance, 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 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James William "Billy" Lance, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James William "Billy" Lance, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James William "Billy" Lance, Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James William "Billy" Lance, Jr. was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.