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Incident
Kimble County authorities received information that an army deserter had escaped from the jail at Rock Springs and boarded a freight wagon bound in the direction of Junction in Kimble County. Deputies Raymond James and J. W. Ragland, along with 2 freighters, were sent out to intercept the escapee.
When the suspect, Harrison S. McAlester, was located outside of Junction, he was ordered to stop and surrender. As McAlester stepped down from the wagon, he fired one shot from an army automatic pistol, which struck Deputy James in the abdomen. Deputy James was taken back to Junction, but later died on the operating table from the gunshot wound.
McAlester was overpowered and arrested by Deputy Ragland and taken to jail in Junction. McAlester stated he deserted from the U.S. Army in San Antonio on May 22. He was also suspected of being involved in two other murders in the Bexar County area involving several other deserters. McAlester was never charged in the Bexar County murders, however, his accomplices were.
Raymond Edison James was born at Pickton, Texas on September 16, 1887. He was married to Vara Pickett and had 2 children, Raymond, 3, and Vivian, 5. His mother, father, four brothers and one sister also survived him. He had only lived in Junction for one-and-one-half years. He was buried in the South Llano Cemetery.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff James served with the Kimble County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Junction community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kimble County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Raymond is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Raymond 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 1917, 17 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Raymond was 29. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Raymond was 29. 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.
Raymond was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Kimble County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kimble County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kimble County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
