Incident
Chief James Holcombe succumbed to gunshot wounds received 19 days earlier during a barricade situation. Another officer had been shot and wounded by the man and Chief Holcombe and other officers attempted to make a forced entry. As they did so the suspect fired through a window, fatally wounding Chief Holcombe. The other officers shot and wounded the suspect who died from his wounds a month later.
Survivors
Chief Holcombe was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Holcombe gave the Greenville Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Holcombe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 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 1915, 1 officer at Greenville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1915, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 53. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Greenville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 43. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
James was 53. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
James was 53. 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 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 53. 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 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 27.3% of these deaths at Greenville Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 45.5%.
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Sundays: 19.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 54.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% 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 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
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
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Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
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James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
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Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
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Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
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George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
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Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
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Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
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William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
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Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
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James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
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Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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