Prev
James D. Turner
Incident
Location: Kentucky Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Executed in 1932
Patrolman Turner was shot and killed in Richmond, Kentucky, by a suspect who had just shot and fatally wounded two other men. The suspect was running away from the original shooting when he saw Patrolman Turner talking to a crossing watchman. The suspect opened fire without warning, striking Patrolman Turner once, and knocking him down. The suspect then shot Patrolman Turner three more times. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Turner returned fire five times and struck the suspect once in the hand. The suspect was arrested.
The suspect, 30, was charged with three counts of murder and executed in the electric chair on December 17, 1932. On January 14, 1928, he shot and wounded Patrolman Turner in Richmond where he was a policeman. He served two years for attempted murder.
was charged with three counts of murder. On December 17, 1932, he was executed in the electric chair.
Patrolman Turner had been with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department for six years and was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Patrolman Turner had been with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department for six years and was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpxj9tvj8pmrqn73vene- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Turner gave the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Turner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 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 1931, 1 officer at Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 2.
In 1931, 20 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 57. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 51; the middle age was 43. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
James was 57. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 57. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 57. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths at Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 40%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Fridays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
Ramsey D. Blackburn Jan 2, 1907
-
Charles W. Williams May 24, 1909
-
Green Rose Mar 29, 1911
-
Charles Eckert Jan 10, 1918
-
James C. Corbin Jun 7, 1918
-
Charles Guy Oct 3, 1921
-
William H. Garrison Apr 21, 1924
-
I. Henry Brown Oct 1, 1927
-
Martin A. Sieber Oct 11, 1929
-
Clarence E. Karrick
Mar 24, 1930
-
Thomas P. Hawkins
Sep 28, 1930
-
James D. Turner
Dec 25, 1931
-
Charles Burvel Graves
Nov 18, 1932
-
William Mogridge Aug 9, 1935
-
Guy Steele Yancey
Apr 6, 1947
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
