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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Bowlin was shot and killed while attempting to serve an assault warrant on a 23-year-old man for kicking a man in a pool hall.
The subject who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. There is no record of the disposition of the case. In 1938 he was shot and killed by a night watchman in Williamsburg. The nightwatchman, charged with murder, was acquitted.
Deputy Bowlin's brother, Chief of Police Thomas Bowlin, was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 13th, 1925, while serving with the Jellico, Tennessee, Police Department.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bowlin served with the Whitley County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bowlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Whitley County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 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 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1932, 1 officer at Whitley County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 19 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 48. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Whitley County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 47.5 and 52.8; the middle age was 49.5.
James was 48. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
James was 48. 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.
James was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 28.6% of these deaths at Whitley County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.3%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Whitley County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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
Whitley County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Whitley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
