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Incident
Sheriff Polk was shot and killed from ambush while returning home. He and a deputy had returned to his home after arresting a woman for bootlegging following a series of raids. As Sheriff Polk walked onto his porch he was shot by a man hiding in nearby woods. The deputy returned fire as the suspect fled. He threw the shotgun in a nearby creek which was later recovered. He was apprehended two days later in Hinds County. The ensuing investigation revealed that the county's major bootlegger had hired the man to kill Sheriff Polk in retaliation for the sheriff's effort to clean up the county. The suspect, 30, who fired the fatal shot was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The bootlegger, 45, who hired him was also convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Both applied for a parole in 1970. Their outcomes are unknown. Two other men, 40 and 32, and two women, 30 and 40, involved in the plot to assassinate Sheriff Polk were all charged with murder. Both men were convicted of manslaughter and were sentenced to 10 years and 17 years respectively. The one serving 17 years got a new trial and was acquitted on December 7, 1962. The other man also got a new trial and was acquitted on February 6, 1964. The oldest woman was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. A new trial on June 17, 1964, ended with a deadlocked jury. She was released in leu of a $10,000 bond. It is not known if there was a third trial. The other woman was convicted of manslaughter and received five years of probation. Sheriff Polk had served with the agency for 8 years. He was known throughout the state for his aggressiveness in enforcing alcohol laws. He was survived by his wife and three children. His wife served the remainder of his term as sheriff and then was elected sheriff in 1962.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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.
Sheriff Polk gave the Marion County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Polk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 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 1960, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1960, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1960, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 52. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. James had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
James was 52. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 52. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
