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Clarence Elmo James
Incident
Deputy Constable James was shot and killed while attempting to trap and arrest a robbery suspect who had robbed several couples in the area of the Lakewood Country Club.
He and a female acquaintance were sitting on a bench when he spotted a man crawling through a fence, and suddenly trotting towards them. A shootout followed in which Deputy Constable James was struck in the abdomen and mortally wounded. In his dying statement, he stated that the man started firing without saying a word.
Blood evidence indicated the killer was also wounded. No one was ever identified as the killer. Deputy Constable James died the next day.
Deputy Constable James was survived by his wife, three children, his parents, a sister, and three brothers. He was buried in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas.
Survivors
Deputy Constable James was survived by his wife, three children, his parents, a sister, and three brothers.
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.
Deputy Constable James served with the Dallas County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Clarence is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence 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 1928, 19 officers in TX were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clarence was 38. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Clarence was 38. 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.
Clarence was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Dallas County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Dallas County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has 2 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dallas County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.
