Incident
Officer Moran was shot and killed while questioning a burglary suspect. He and another officer were on patrol in the early morning hours when they noticed two men carrying bags of flour. When the approached the men one fled and Officer Moran's partner chased after him. As Officer Moran talked to the second suspect the man pulled out a gun and shot him. Officer Moran was taken to his home where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. The suspect and his accomplice were two of six inmates who escaped from a prison work camp. He was arrested, charged with murder, and released when the only witness could not positively identify the suspect. Months later another murder warrant was issued when more evidence surfaced. He was found in 1894 in a jail in Tallahassee, Florida. He was brought back to Charlotte, but again released when the evidence was found to be insufficient. Officer Moran had been with the agency for three years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrol Officer Moran gave the Charlotte Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charlotte Police Department has lost 18 officers; 13 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 1892, 1 officer at Charlotte Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1892, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 60. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Charlotte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 44; the middle age was 39. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
James was 60. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 60. 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 had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 15.4% of these deaths at Charlotte Police Department; January holds the most, 15.4%. Mondays: 38.5%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.2% of all 18 deaths at Charlotte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.8% 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
Charlotte Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Moran Apr 4, 1892
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James H. Brown Aug 2, 1904
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John Robert Estridge
Mar 29, 1913
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Joseph Eckels Orr Sep 29, 1926
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John North Byers Sep 30, 1926
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Robert M. Reid
Jan 1, 1927
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Harvey Edgar Correll
Jan 22, 1929
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Thomas H. Jenkins
Oct 21, 1929
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Benjamin H. Frye
Jun 9, 1930
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Charles P. Nichols
Apr 17, 1936
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Charlie Herbert Baker
Apr 12, 1941
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Johnny Reed Annas
May 21, 1960
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Edmond N. Cannon
Nov 23, 1981
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Ernest Coleman
Jul 1, 1982
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Timothy Wayne Whittington
Jul 16, 1985
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Robert Louis Smith
Jan 15, 1987
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Milus Terry Lyles
Aug 6, 1990
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Eugene A. Griffin
Nov 22, 1991
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
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