Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Kilty was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant with other members of the narcotics division at a local hotel in the 2900 block of Southwest Freeway. They were serving the warrant to an employee at the hotel when the man approached and opened fire, striking Officer Kilty. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Officer Kilty was transported to Ben Taub Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later. Officer Kilty was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-9A8A362A- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Kilty gave the Houston Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Fredrick Kilty served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer James Fredrick Kilty 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Fredrick Kilty's cause is highlighted.
How James Fredrick Kilty Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Fredrick Kilty is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Fredrick Kilty was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
