Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Cornett was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight between two men on a city street. As he approached the men he noticed that one of them was armed. He ordered the man to drop his weapon but was shot when he surprised the men. The suspect was apprehended the same day and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life and he was paroled in 1979.
Survivors
Patrolman Cornett had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-6E786E0B- 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.
Patrolman Cornett gave the Chattanooga Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cornett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James H. Cornett 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 Chattanooga Police Department, 19 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James H. Cornett's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Cornett Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1979
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Cornett is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James H. Cornett was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
