Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Gatewood was shot and killed, and his partner was seriously wounded at 10303 Algona Road in the Federal Housing Authority's Oakdale Gardens complex. The officers were investigating a complaint that a man, who had previously been committed, was bothering girls on the nearby playground. While they were talking to the suspect's mother, the suspect shot them both through his screen door, firing eight times. The suspect was apprehended a short time later. The suspect was committed to a mental hospital on August 4th, 1961. Sergeant Gatewood was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Royal Oak Township Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and five sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-9EA33637- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Sergeant Gatewood gave the Royal Oak Township Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ferndale community, and 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 Gatewood, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant James Gatewood, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Gatewood, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James Gatewood, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Gatewood, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Gatewood, Jr. was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.