In Memory of Chief James Mitchell

In Memory of Chief James Mitchell

December 25, 1905

After retiring from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, James Mitchell was appointed as the first Chief Of Police for St. Petersburg in 1903. He moved to town from Georgia with his wife and four children to take up his duties supervising the four officer department. On Christmas Day in 1905 Chief Mitchell arrested a man for disorderly conduct at the rear of a saloon on Central Avenue. While escorting his prisoner to jail Mitchell was attacked from behind by another man who stabbed the chief in the heart, killing him. The attacker, who was reportedly a fugitive from South Carolina, was shot and arrested by another officer as he attempted to flee the scene.