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Incident
Marshal William James and Assistant Marshal Joe Hartman were shot and killed by a suspect who had been arrested for being drunk in public.
While at city hall, the suspect struck Marshal James in the head and escaped. He went home, obtained a 12 gauge shotgun, and returned to the city hall, where he shot and killed both officers.
The suspect was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 1974 but recommended for parole a year later.
Marshal James had served with the Texhoma Police Department for 15 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
City Marshal James gave the Texhoma Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Texhoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Texhoma Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 24. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Texhoma Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 1% 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; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Texhoma Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Texhoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
