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James Shirley Wood
Incident
Conservation Officer Jim Wood was shot and killed at his home at approximately 10:00 pm by a man whom he had issued a citation to earlier in the day. The man found out where Officer Wood lived and went to his home at Ross Barnett Lake near Mize. When Officer Wood's wife answered the door the man asked to speak with the officer. When Officer Wood came to the front door the man shot him. One of the officers who responded to the murder scene, Corporal James Bounds, of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, suffered a fatal heart attack when he saw the body of Officer Wood and he learned that his friend had been shot and killed. The suspect who murdered Officer Wood was apprehended and sentenced to 20 years. Officer Wood had served with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Conservation for six years as the manager of Lake Ross Barnett.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, two sisters, and one brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Conservation Officer Wood gave the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 39. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 56; the middle age was 55.5. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
James was 39. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
James was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 16.7% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; September holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has 11 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Thomas H. McDonald
Sep 4, 1937
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Frank W. Stuart Sep 21, 1948
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Hi Eastland Johnson
Oct 17, 1952
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Ezra L. Brewer
Apr 4, 1959
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Willie A. Shingler
Nov 13, 1962
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Edward W. Sloan Jun 24, 1967
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Glenn Curtis Tullos Oct 11, 1971
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James Shirley Wood
Oct 21, 1984
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Hilton H. Shoemake
Dec 26, 1990
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Michael Anthony Andrews
Nov 11, 2002
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John Thomas Collum
May 9, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are honored on badge.nw.
