Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Miller died as a result of injuries suffered three weeks earlier while arresting a subject near Seventh Street and Market Street.
He had arrested a subject for being intoxicated and disorderly near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Sixth Street. While he was walking his prisoner to the police station on Cherry Street a few of the man's friends attempted to free him by interfering with Officer Miller. The subject was able to gain control of Officer Miler's baton and struck him several times in the head, rendering him unconscious. The man attempted to escape but was taken into custody by a citizen and turned over to the police.
Officer Miller was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital where it was discovered he had a serious brain injury. He never fully regained consciousness and died as a result of the injuries three weeks later.
In November 1852, the subject was found guilty of second-degree murder. In 1845, the man shot and killed a man during a shootout and sentenced to one to two years in prison. He served less than half of the sentence when he was pardoned.
Officer Miller was survived by his wife, and two children.
Survivors
Officer Miller was survived by his wife, and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-1F85E6C1- 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
174 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Miller served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James Miller 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Miller's cause is highlighted.
How James Miller Compares
Offender Outcome
Guilty of second degree murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Miller is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Miller was killed by blunt object; baton.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
