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Incident
Constable James Irey was shot and killed after responding to a farm to investigate a report of a suspicious person who was refusing to leave a shack on the property. As Constable Irey approached the shack he was ambushed by the suspect with a sawed-off shotgun. Another constable along with several men responded to the scene and shot the suspect in the legs when he refused to surrender. He was charged with murder. The suspect, 45, was adjudged insane and sent to the Mendocino State Mental Hospital. He was there in 1950.
Survivors
Constable Irey was survived by his wife and eight 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Irey served with the Liberty Township Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Liberty community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Irey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Liberty Township Constable's Office remembered here.
James is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1937, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 46. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
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 was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Liberty Township Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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