James O. Sexton
Agency patch
Patrolman

James O. Sexton

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Accident
End of Watch July 25, 1962
Age 38
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
The Vigil Panel 97 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Sexton was performing a training exercise when a gun held by a fellow officer accidentally discharged at the department's Canine Corps School at 6500 S. County Line Road, in Hinsdale. Another officer was handing Patrolman Sexton's revolver back to him after examining it and it discharged. Patrolman Sexton was struck in the chest and fatally wounded. Patrolman James Sexton had served with the Chicago Police Department for 14 years.

Survivors

survivors is certainly outstanding. I am also amazed by Scanlon who was not only retained as an employee of the police department but worked in safety, ironically, when he was responsible for the tragedy --

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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Sexton gave the Chicago Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sexton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 25, 1962
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman James O. Sexton

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch July 25, 1962

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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