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Incident
Sheriff James Goodwin suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to apprehend two juvenile inmates who were escaping from the Spencer County Jail at 9:00 p.m.
As he heard the commotion, he ran downstairs and captured one of the juveniles in the street. He collapsed as he escorted the boy back inside. While his son came to his aid, the juvenile fled.
The juveniles were apprehended the next day.
Sheriff Goodwin was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Spencer County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, three brothers, three sisters, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Goodwin gave the Spencer County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockport community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Cletus Goodwin served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Spencer County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 24 officers lost to cardiac events in IN, 4.8% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer in IN was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 2.
In 1973, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1973, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 52. Of the 24 lost to cardiac events in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 52; the middle age was 49. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 52. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 52. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 12.5% of these deaths in IN; September holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 20.8%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Spencer County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Spencer County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Military Service
James Cletus Goodwin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Cletus Goodwin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Spencer County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
