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Incident
Patrolman James Mobley was shot and killed while he and his partner responded to a stabbing call at 540 Bolander Avenue. While en route to the scene they spotted a possible suspect. They stopped and placed the suspect in the back of the vehicle, then continued on to the scene. While they were driving, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot both officers in the back, fatally wounding Patrolman Mobley. His partner returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect. His partner recovered from his wound. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on March 25th, 1971. He died in prison on November 12th, 1971, from kidney disease. Patrolman Mobley had served with the Dayton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Mobley gave the Dayton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mobley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dayton Police Department has lost 31 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at Dayton Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 3.
In 1970, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 22. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Dayton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 43.8; the middle age was 39. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 22. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 22. 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 had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Dayton Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 38.9%.
January holds 9.1% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.1% of all 31 deaths at Dayton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dayton Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Lee Lynam
Jan 17, 1880
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Amer M. Keller
Jan 7, 1897
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William Dalton
Aug 10, 1899
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John J. Stapleton
Jan 17, 1916
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Charles V. Thomas
May 21, 1916
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George V. Purcell
Sep 23, 1916
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Lawrence Robert Graham
Oct 7, 1918
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Edward Michael Hennessey
Oct 12, 1918
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Vinton E. Harsh
Oct 13, 1918
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Emerson A. Glotfelter
Dec 7, 1918
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Clement Leroy Francis
Mar 8, 1919
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Troy Elmer Sine
Jan 28, 1920
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George E. Clark
Jan 29, 1923
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William C. Horn
Sep 18, 1927
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John C. Post
Sep 25, 1927
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Walter E. Rauch
Dec 25, 1927
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William Tom Wilson
Feb 23, 1928
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Lucius J. Rice
Oct 5, 1939
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Sherman E. Nowlin
May 3, 1947
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Herman A. Drexler
May 16, 1947
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Richard Owen Baker
Nov 5, 1965
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Ronald K. Wells
Apr 6, 1967
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James Lee Mobley
Jan 25, 1970
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Paul Erwin Mortimer
Jul 31, 1970
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Daniel Henry Bruns
Jul 3, 1973
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William Kenneth Mortimer
Mar 4, 1974
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Eddie L. Hobson
Oct 11, 1981
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William Steven Whalen
Mar 22, 1991
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Jason K. Grossnickle
May 23, 1996
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Mary Lynn Beall
Aug 25, 2002
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Jorge Rene DelRio
Nov 7, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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