James G. Godwin

Florida Department of Corrections — Tallahassee, FL

Felonious

End of Watch April 4, 1955

Age 56

The Vigil Panel 91 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 32

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.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-831BFD68
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
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

Department Florida Department of Corrections

Location Tallahassee, FL

Platform Identity fdcorr.leon.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 4, 1955

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Died in prison

Assistant Superintendent James G. Godwin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Florida Department of Corrections

of 33 officers

33.3% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious