Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Red English succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four days earlier during a standoff with an ex-convict on South Liberty Street. Several other officers and civilians were also wounded in the incident when the suspect opened fire from his parent's home. The suspect's father had called the police when his son forced him to leave his home after he refused to let him use the family car. The suspect was convicted of the murder of Patrolman English and sentenced to life in prison on November 29th, 1948. He was paroled on September 17th, 1970. Patrolman English was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Gastonia Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia, North Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-A3F38F8D- 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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman English gave the Gastonia Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gastonia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Edward "Red" English served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James Edward "Red" English 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Gastonia Police Department, 3 of 6 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 Edward "Red" English's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward "Red" English Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1970
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward "Red" English is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward "Red" English was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Gastonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
