Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain James Somers Perry was shot and wounded while investigating a burglary in progress. While eating lunch on Monroe Street near the corner of Main Street Captain Perry observed two burglars enter a wholesale grocers store through the basement door. Captain Perry ran to the store where he met a night watchman who accompanied him to the open door. The watchman remained outside while Captain Perry entered the dark basement.
When Captain Perry struck a match so he could see the suspects opened fire at him. One shot struck Captain Perry in the chest. As Captain Perry fell to the ground the suspects ran out of the building past the watchman who fired several rounds at the suspects but did not apprehend them because he remained at the scene with Captain Perry.
Captain Perry was brought to a doctor, but the doctor was unable to help him. Captain Perry died eight days later from his wound.
One of the killers was apprehended and executed on August 20, 1869.
Captain Perry, who as the commander of the Southern District, had served with the Memphis Police Department for eight years and was survived by his wife and two children. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Survivors
Captain Perry, who as the commander of the Southern District, had served with the Memphis Police Department for eight years and was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-683AFC03- 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
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Captain Perry gave the Memphis Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain James Somers Perry 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Somers Perry's cause is highlighted.
How James Somers Perry Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Somers Perry is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Somers Perry was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
