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Incident
Chief of Police James Benton was shot and killed near his back door while investigating a report from a woman that a man was trying to kill her. Chief Benton and his family were about to sit down and eat dinner at their home on the corner of Grove Street and Barges Lane when a woman ran into the chief's home and told him that the suspect, who had been drinking, was trying to kill her. Chief Benton immediately put his pistol into his pocket and grabbed his cap. When he had walked only five feet from his back door, the suspect, who had been hiding in the stable behind the Benton home, came running toward the chief and shot him in the face before Benton had time to draw his pistol. The suspect was wounded by Chief Benton's son and was later arrested, convicted of murder, and hanged.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Benton served with the Fayetteville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Benton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayetteville Police Department has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 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 1908, 1 officer at Fayetteville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1907, with 2.
In 1908, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 52. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Fayetteville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.8 and 46.8; the middle age was 42.5.
James was 52. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
James was 52. 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 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Fayetteville Police Department; March holds the most, 42.9%. Saturdays: 42.9%.
February holds 8.8% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Fayetteville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Fayetteville Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Owen Lockamy
Mar 2, 1907
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Jefferson A. Chason Mar 3, 1907
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James H. Benton
Feb 22, 1908
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Daniel C. Chason
Oct 22, 1925
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Willis Jackson Genes
Mar 16, 1939
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James Woodard McLaurin
Mar 2, 1951
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Robert William Dahlman Oct 9, 1975
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James Joseph McConkey
Dec 3, 1977
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Roy Gene Turner, Jr.
Nov 30, 2001
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Matthew Eric Dow
Oct 1, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Fayetteville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
