Prev
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
neuraspine_01krbxtn5k1yn6pkq2nd2csevz- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huntington Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 2 officers at Huntington Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 4 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 36. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Huntington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 34.5; the middle age was 28.5.
James was 36. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
James was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 33.3% of these deaths at Huntington Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 50%.
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Huntington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Huntington Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
