James Franklin Marchbanks
Patrolman

James Franklin Marchbanks

Savannah Police Department — Savannah, GA
Felonious
End of Watch June 30, 1976
Age 27
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 0073
The Vigil Panel 117 ›
Gender Male

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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Stewardship
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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

Type Other
Location Savannah, Chatham County, GA
Platform Identity spd.chatham.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 30, 1976
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 0073
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Savannah Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, James among them.

Patrolman James Franklin Marchbanks

Savannah Police Department · End of Watch June 30, 1976

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W

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