Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch: Monday, March 21, 1966
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 21, 1966
Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm
Suspect Info: Died in mental hospital
Officer James Rivers was shot and killed while responding to a robbery.
When he arrived at the scene, he observed the suspect entering a taxi cab and ordered him to stop. The suspect produced a 9-mm handgun and exchanged shots with Officer Rivers. Officer Rivers was struck in the head but was able to shoot the suspect as well, critically wounding him.
The suspect, 29, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on July 24, 1966. He received an additional 30 years for armed robbery. He was transferred to Central State Mental Hospital in 1972. He died in Winnebago Mental Hospital on July 1, 2004.
Officer Rivers had been with the Milwaukee Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife and two children.