Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Staggs was killed in an accident while attempting to pull over a drunk driver. He and another officer were transporting a prisoner to jail when they noticed a car weaving back and forth across the roadway. Thinking the driver was drunk they pulled next to his vehicle to tell him to pull over. The driver suddenly veered towards the police car, causing Patrolman Staggs to swerve into the path of an oncoming streetcar. Patrolman Staggs was killed almost instantly. Patrolman Staggs had served with the Des Moines Police Department for five years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-46F28562- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Staggs gave the Des Moines Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Staggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James A. Staggs 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Des Moines Police Department, 16 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Staggs's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Staggs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Staggs is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Staggs was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
