Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Bennett was shot and killed when he stopped a suspect wanted for stealing a .22 caliber rifle in a nearby town. The traffic stop occurred on US 380, about one mile east of Decatur. As Officer Bennett approached the vehicle, the suspect exited with the rifle, pointed it at Officer Bennett, and told him to put his hands up. Officer Bennett complied, but the suspect opened fire and shot him in the throat. The 17-year-old suspect fled the scene but was quickly apprehended. He was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole on October 15, 2021. His next parole hearing is in September 2026. Officer Bennett served with the Decatur Police Department for six years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-72A61C78- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Bennett gave the Decatur Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Bennett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer James Leroy Bennett is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Leroy Bennett's cause is highlighted.
How James Leroy Bennett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Leroy Bennett is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Leroy Bennett was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.