Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Golden succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to arrest two men who were fighting outside of a saloon near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Willow Street.
One of the subjects resisted arrest and struggled with Patrolman Golden. The man's brother then retrieved a .32 caliber revolver from inside of a nearby barber shop and handed it to the man, who then shot Patrolman Golden in the torso. Patrolman Golden was taken to Lackawanna Hospital where he died the following day.
The subject fled the country to his native Italy following the murder. He was recognized in Italy as a suspect in a murder that occurred 13 years prior. He then fled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where hew as arrested in November 1905. The Lackawanna County commissioners denied the money needed to extradite him from Argentina and the man was eventually released from custody. He was never extradited or tried for Patrolman Golden's murder.
Patrolman Golden had served with the Dunmore Borough Police Department for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-4D31246A- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Golden served with the Dunmore Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dunmore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Golden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Golden 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Golden's cause is highlighted.
How James Golden Compares
Offender Outcome
Never tried
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Golden is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Golden was killed by handgun.