Roll of Honor
James G. Godwin
Incident
Assistant Superintendent James Godwin was shot and killed during an escape attempt at the Florida State Prison. The inmate who shot Assistant Superintendent Godwin was a suspect in the murder of Patrolman Alje Savela, of the Massachusetts State Police, on August 31st, 1951. The man later died while in prison. Assistant Superintendent Godwin is buried in Crosby Lake Cemetery, Starke, Bradford County, Florida.
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BO-US-FL-831BFD68- 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.
Assistant Superintendent Godwin served with the Florida Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Superintendent Godwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Assistant Superintendent James G. Godwin 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Florida Department of Corrections, 11 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James G. Godwin's cause is highlighted.
How James G. Godwin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James G. Godwin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James G. Godwin was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Florida Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
