Prev
Incident
Incident Date: Friday, August 12, 1881 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed in 1884
Constable James Harrison was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant for forgery in front of Kendall's Store on the Salt River Turnpike.
The warrant had been issued in Louisville and a detective had given it to Constable Harrison because the subject was known to frequent the store in Jefferson County. When the subject arrived at the store Constable Harrison confronted him and read the warrant to him.
The man read the warrant himself and then pulled a pistol from his pocket and shot Constable Harrison twice, fatally wounding him. The man fled the state and was arrested in Texas. He was returned to Kentucky where he was convicted of Constable Harrison's murder in December 1881. On August 17th, 1884, he escaped from the Kentucky Penitentiary in Frankfort with several other inmates. He was shot and killed by a posse as they attempted to recapture him.
Constable Harrison had served as a Jefferson County constable for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpbc5re3rzqsxs1sz40q- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Harrison gave the Jefferson County Constable's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Jefferson County Constable's Office remembered here.
James is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 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 1881, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 46. 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 had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
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 100% of all 1 deaths at Jefferson County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jefferson County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.