Lieutenant James Andrew Cox

James Andrew Cox

Lieutenant James Cox contracted influenza during the commission of his job duties while assigned to the ambulance unit. He was transported to the hospital where he died a week later due to pneumonia and influenza on December 27, 1918.

Lieutenant Cox served with the Cambridge Police Department for 22 years. He was survived by his sister.

Effects of Spanish Flu on Law Enforcement

From 1918 to early 1919, the Spanish Flu pandemic infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.

The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Spanish Flu will likely never be known, but ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission to never forget the fallen.

Please click here to view ODMP's Spanish Flu memorial listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.