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James Harris Phillips
Incident
Special Agent Buck Phillips was shot and killed in Portland, Oregon while attempting to arrest several boxcar thieves. The thieves had been boarding slow-moving trains in the Albina Yard and then throwing goods onto an adjacent road, where an accomplice in a truck would pick them up. Agent Phillips and his partner were patrolling opposite sides of a train when he encountered the thieves. As he attempted to arrest them one of them opened fire, striking him three times. Despite being mortally wounded, he returned fire and wounded one of the men. The suspects were arrested several days later in Albina, Oregon, after an intensive search by local police, railroad police, and federal agents. The suspect who shot Agent Phillips was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on August 24th, 1923. Agent Phillips was survived by his wife, child, and mother. His brother, Deputy Robert Phillips, had also been shot and killed in the line of duty on November 18th, 1917, while serving with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
Agent Phillips was survived by his wife, child, and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Phillips served with the Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 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 1921, 1 officer in OR was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
James was 49. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
James was 49. 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 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 11.3% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 13%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company Police Department are honored on badge.nw.