Incident
Patrolman James Marchbanks was shot and killed after encountering a man carrying a .22 caliber rifle in a park at West Broad Street and Victory Drive. As Patrolman Marchbanks approached the man to question him the man took cover behind a tree and shot Patrolman Marchbanks twice. Patrolman Marchbanks was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. Patrolman Marchbanks was found a short time later and succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital. The suspect, who was on parole for a murder in Chicago, was apprehended two months later and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Survivors
Patrolman Marchbanks had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his expectant wife.
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.
Patrolman Marchbanks gave the Savannah Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Marchbanks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Savannah Police Department has lost 31 officers; 21 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Savannah Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1866, with 2.
In 1976, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 27. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Savannah Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 42; the middle age was 30. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 27. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 27. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 27. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.5% of these deaths at Savannah Police Department; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 9.5%.
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 12.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 67.7% of all 31 deaths at Savannah Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Savannah Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Foley Apr 7, 1866
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Edward G. McNichols Apr 7, 1866
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Samuel Bryson Nov 4, 1868
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Robert A. Reid Nov 5, 1868
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John D. Sullivan Dec 25, 1869
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Habersham H. Harvey Oct 20, 1881
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Jensen Christian Neve
Feb 10, 1894
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Harry B. Fender Feb 16, 1901
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Frank V. Hansen Jun 17, 1910
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James McGinley Feb 20, 1916
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Walter H. Marlow
Mar 27, 1921
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Philip E. Steeves Mar 22, 1922
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William F. Hodges Aug 10, 1924
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William C. Ellzey Sep 26, 1926
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O. Raymond Hughes Aug 18, 1928
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Samuel Marion Webb, Sr.
Apr 14, 1929
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Herbert V. Fitzgerald Aug 1, 1929
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James E. Roughen
Jan 22, 1934
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Earl W. Eubanks
Dec 23, 1941
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James Walter Todd
Dec 12, 1950
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H. Dan Rolison
Sep 25, 1960
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Jimmy Lee Bland
Sep 26, 1966
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Frank W. Mobley Jul 20, 1968
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Robert D. Watford Sep 18, 1969
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James Franklin Marchbanks
Jun 30, 1976
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John Joseph Brown
Apr 14, 1981
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Mark Allen MacPhail, Sr.
Aug 19, 1989
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Willie Samuel Smith
Mar 11, 1994
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Joseph Lupus
May 22, 2018
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Anthony Lawrence Christie
May 25, 2018
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Kelvin Bernard Ansari
May 11, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
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