Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Mills succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained when he was ambushed outside of his house as he returned home following his shift on June 10, 1975. He was exiting his car in the 2200 block of Adams Avenue when a man emerged from behind a tree and shot him in the back of the neck. The shooting left Officer Mills a quadriplegic and he died of complications on December 15, 1981. Officer Mills had served with the Huntington Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-BD972C5E- 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.
Police Officer Mills served with the Huntington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James W. Mills 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Huntington Police Department, 6 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Mills's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Mills Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Mills is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Mills was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
