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Incident
Officer James Helms was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of an explosion in the downtown area at 0310 hours. He went to check the area and located at least one suspect behind several buildings near Main Street. The suspect shot Officer Helms several times. Four of Officer Helms' friends who were helping him investigate the sound of the explosion found him on the ground holding his revolver. In 1899 a convict in Minnesota confessed to killing Officer Helms, Officers Grant and McNett of Illinois, a woman in Geneva, Illinois and shooting a policeman in Guide Rock, Nebraska. Officer Helms was survived by his wife. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Osawatomie, Kansas.
Survivors
Officer Helms was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Helms served with the Osawatomie Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Osawatomie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Osawatomie Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 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 1895, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 50. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
James was 50. 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 was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Osawatomie Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Osawatomie Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Osawatomie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
