Chief of Police James H. Benton

Chief of Police James H. Benton

Fayetteville Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch Saturday, February 22, 1908

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James H. Benton

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.

He was survived by his wife and eight children.

Bio

  • Age 52
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Executed

alcohol violation, domestic

Most Recent Reflection

View all 4 Reflections

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 101rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to the birth state of my son and myself. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 22, 2009

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