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Police Officer

James Miller

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
United States flag Pennsylvania flag
End of Watch August 5, 1852
Age 28
The Vigil Panel 1 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 378

Incident

Police Officer James Miller died as a result of injuries suffered three weeks earlier while arresting a subject near Seventh Street and Market Street.

He had arrested a subject for being intoxicated and disorderly near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Sixth Street. While he was walking his prisoner to the police station on Cherry Street a few of the man's friends attempted to free him by interfering with Officer Miller. The subject was able to gain control of Officer Miler's baton and struck him several times in the head, rendering him unconscious. The man attempted to escape but was taken into custody by a citizen and turned over to the police.

Officer Miller was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital where it was discovered he had a serious brain injury. He never fully regained consciousness and died as a result of the injuries three weeks later.

In November 1852, the subject was found guilty of second-degree murder. In 1845, the man shot and killed a man during a shootout and sentenced to one to two years in prison. He served less than half of the sentence when he was pardoned.

Officer Miller was survived by his wife, and two children.

Survivors

Officer Miller was survived by his wife, and two children.

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

174 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Miller served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 5, 1852
Age 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Assault
Weapon Blunt object; Baton

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1852, 10 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 171st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 28. 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.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; baton, in 0% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer James Miller

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch August 5, 1852

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E

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