Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Godwin was shot and killed at 9:30 p.m. on Green Avenue between Fourth and Third Streets when he attempted to arrest two men who had robbed a taxi driver, tied him to a tree, and took his taxi. Chief Godwin and his officers stopped the taxi; arrested one escapee but the other shot him in the abdomen. He fled on foot; entered a parked automobile, and forced a couple to drive him to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where they were stopped by a special agent for a railway company. He arrested the suspect without incident.
On September, 22, 1935, the two used a fake gun made out of soap to fool the jailer into giving them their freedom. Several minutes later they were captured by a one-armed ex-service man.
On October 5, 1935, one suspect, 20, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Three weeks later the other suspect, 28, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He received a conditional pardon in 1943, and was ordered to report to a army lieutenant to be processed for service.
Chief Godwin had been with the agency for five months and was survived by his wife and two daughters.
On September, 22, 1935, the two used a fake gun made out of soap to fool the jailer into giving them their freedom. Several minutes later they were captured by a one-armed ex-service man.
Survivors
Chief Godwin had been with the agency for five months and was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-824D715A- 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.
Acting Chief Godwin Jr. served with the Orange Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Acting Chief Godwin Jr..
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Acting Chief John Delaney Godwin Jr. 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%.
At Orange Police Department, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Delaney Godwin Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Delaney Godwin Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Delaney Godwin Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Delaney Godwin Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Orange Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
