James Francis Goggin
Agency patch
Patrolman

James Francis Goggin

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch January 13, 1939
Age 51
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Badge 839
The Vigil Panel 75 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Goggin was shot and killed by a robbery suspect. Patrolman Goggin and his partner responded to an alarm, and each went to different businesses, as the alarm wasn't specific. Patrolman Goggin went to the Sach Store. He found a robber holding a knife to the throat of Isadore Sach, asking him to find "more" money in the safe. Another robber was ordering people to the basement of the store. One of the robbers started shooting, hit Patrolman Goggin, and then ran to an exit. Patrolman Goggin fell in the middle of an aisle, and the second robber ran past him. The wounded patrolman was able to shoot at the second robber. This robber got as far as the street and fell dead at the curb. Two other robbers escaped. Patrolman Goggin had been shot twice; one bullet hit his stomach and another on his left side. His partner heard the gunshots and came over and called out to him but got no response. He then called for an ambulance four minutes after the alarm had sounded. A description of the two escaped robbers was circulated, and they were arrested. Both were sentenced to life and later died in prison. Patrolman Goggin had served 19 years with the Cleveland Division of Police. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-20E5C9F2
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Goggin gave the Cleveland Division of Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Goggin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Cleveland, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 13, 1939
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Age 51
Badge Number 839
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender One killed, two sentenced to life

Patrolman James Francis Goggin 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.

Cleveland Division of Police
83
of 119 officers
69.7% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Francis Goggin's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James Francis Goggin Compares

Age at End of Watch
51
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
19
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

One killed, two sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Francis Goggin is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Francis Goggin was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518