Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Goodson was killed while assisting another officer. Officer Goodson was checking a bar on 22 Street South in St. Petersburg when another officer observed a man in possession of a pistol outside. Hearing a struggle, Officer Goodson went outside to assist the other officer as he struggled with the suspect for possession of the gun. During the struggle the suspect fired the gun hitting Officer Goodson twice. He died of his wounds early on the following morning, Christmas Day 1947. The 35-year-old suspect was later arrested in Pinellas Park. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On March 26, 1950, he and three other inmates escaped from the state prison farm in Bell Glade. He was captured by a police officer and a FBI agent in Syracuse, New York, on June 10, 1952.
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BO-US-FL-123F360E- Stewardship
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- 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.
Officer Goodson served with the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Petersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Goodson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer James J. Goodson 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 St. Petersburg Police Department, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Goodson's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Goodson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Goodson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Goodson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from St. Petersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
