Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal William James and Assistant Marshal Joe Hartman were shot and killed by a suspect who had been arrested for being drunk in public.
While at city hall, the suspect struck Marshal James in the head and escaped. He went home, obtained a 12 gauge shotgun, and returned to the city hall, where he shot and killed both officers.
The suspect was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 1974 but recommended for parole a year later.
Marshal James had served with the Texhoma Police Department for 15 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-B451F4EF- 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
You barely got started.
City Marshal James gave the Texhoma Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Texhoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal William Aaron James 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Texhoma Police Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Aaron James's cause is highlighted.
How William Aaron James Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Aaron James is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Aaron James was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Texhoma Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
