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Incident
Constable James Nelms was shot and killed when he responded to a report of two drunk men fighting at a saloon.
When he attempted to intervene, he was shot and killed. The offender fled but was located soon after and killed by a responding law enforcement officer.
Constable Nelms, who served as Navarro County Sheriff from 1870-1872 before joining the Grayson County Constables' Office, was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Constable Nelms, who served as Navarro County Sheriff from 1870-1872 before joining the Grayson County Constables' Office, was survived by his wife and four 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
147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Nelms gave the Grayson County Constable's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Grayson County Constable's Office - Precinct 2 remembered here.
James is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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 1879, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1879, 37 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1879, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 36. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. James had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 36. 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 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 36. 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 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Grayson County Constable's Office - Precinct 2.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Grayson County Constable's Office - Precinct 2 are honored on badge.nw.