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Incident
Marshal James Cockrill was shot and killed from ambush from a second floor window of the court house as he stood in front of a store. His murder resulted from trouble caused by the "Hargis Cockrill Feud" His murderer was Curt Jett, "Wild Dog of the Mountains".
In 1901 Marshal Cockrill and his brother, also a policeman, attempted to arrest a local judge and his brother who were drunk inside a liquor store. When they resisted arrest gunfire erupted and the brother was killed. Marshal Cockrill's brother was jailed for murder but acquitted at trial. After the trial a local doctor who testified in his brother's behalf was assassinated. Days later Jett assassinated Marshal Cockrill. Jett escaped into the mountains. On May 4, 1903, a local prominent attorney was assassinated in the same place where Marshal Cockrill was killed. Curt Jett and another man were apprehended and charged with his murder.
Curt Jett was convicted of the attorney's murder and Marshal Cockrill's murder, and sentenced to death. His companion was sentenced to life. He was paroled January 4, 1917. Months later Jett's sentence was commuted to life. Jett said that the judge hired him to kill Marshal Cockrill and the Sheriff and another man helped him escape. He said he killed the attorney because had interfered with the trial and was interfering with situations which were of special interest to prominent men, some who were involved in the feud. Jett was paroled December 13, 1918.
The judge was charged with murder, and the sheriff with aiding and abetting. Both were eventually acquitted. Both were convicted in a civil suit and had to pay the attorney's wife $8000 in 1907.
For the sake of time and space the "Hargis Cockrill Feud" has a lot of information about it on the internet which will shed more light on Marshal Cockrill's murder, the trials, and the feud.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Cockrill served with the Jackson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Cockrill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jackson Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 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, 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 1902, 1 officer at Jackson Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1902, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Jackson Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 52; the middle age was 44.
James was 26. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
James was 26. 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 was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Jackson Police Department; August holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Jackson Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 60% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Jackson Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
