Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Gamble was shot and killed as he and his partner stopped to assist what they believed was a motorist and his companion who were stuck in the mud. They were unaware the pair had just failed in an attempt to blow the safe in the Grand Kane Post Office. As they approached the vehicle one of the occupants suddenly opened fire with a rifle killing Deputy Gamble instantly and seriously wounding the other deputy as he dove for cover. The suspects then took their patrol car and drove it into a ditch. As other drivers stopped at the scene the suspects told them that they were deputies and the other two were robbers. Most DeSoto Parrish deputies did not wear uniforms. When a young boy came out of hiding, the suspects ran from the scene as he told what really happened. The 35-year-old gunman and his 29-year-old accomplice were apprehended in Houston, Texas, two weeks later. The gunman, an ex-convict, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on November 3, 1960. Three months later he was arrested in Bellville, Texas, after he robbed a post office near there. On February 10, 1961, a Texas officer shot and killed him when he bolted from his patrol car as he was being transported from the Bellville Jail to another jail. His accomplice who was also charged with murder had his murder charge dismissed after he turned states evidence. He was convicted of attempted robbery of the post office and sentenced to three years in Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. The other deputy, who nearly had his arm blown off, was forced to retire. Deputy Gamble had served in law enforcement for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-6FBFF315- 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.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Gamble gave the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Mansfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gamble.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Wilson Gamble 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Wilson Gamble's cause is highlighted.
How James Wilson Gamble Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled; Then killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Wilson Gamble is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Wilson Gamble was killed by rifle; m-1.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
