Incident
Officer Paul Emerson was shot and killed when he and his partner surprised a burglar at a local business. When officers noticed the subject fleeing a closed business, they initiated a foot pursuit. The subject turned around and fired at the officers, striking Officer Emerson in the neck. His partner was able to apprehend the suspect and arrest him. The suspect was later convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to life. Officer Emerson had served with the Port Arthur Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-5C0364B3- 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.
Officer Emerson gave the Port Arthur Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Arthur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Emerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Paul Aaron Emerson Sr. 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 Port Arthur Police Department, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Aaron Emerson Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Paul Aaron Emerson Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Aaron Emerson Sr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Aaron Emerson Sr. was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Port Arthur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


