Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police J.A. Gargis suffered a fatal heart attack after a struggle with a mentally disturbed man during an arrest. Chief Gargis arrested a subject who blocked the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Massachusetts Avenue with a bus. The subject resisted arrest, and two civilians had to help Chief Gargis subdue the man. The subject tore apart his jail cell and after Chief Gargis calmed him down, he fell and did not regain consciousness. Chief Gargis had served with the Southern Pines Police Department for 10 years and previously served with the Raleigh Police Department. He was appointed Chief of Police in 1931. He was survived by his wife, five children, brothers, and sisters. One of his brothers served with the Raleigh Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, brothers, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-49DB9F36- 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 Jasper. 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Gargis gave the Southern Pines Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Southern Pines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Gargis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Jasper Addison Gargis is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 33 of 664 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 5% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Southern Pines Police Department, 1 of 6 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jasper Addison Gargis's cause is highlighted.
How Jasper Addison Gargis Compares
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Jasper Addison Gargis is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Southern Pines Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
