Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Ohio Weapon: Handgun Offender: Arrested
Detective James Gearen was shot and killed while attempting to eject two tramps from a freight train in Columbus, Ohio.
Detective Gearen had recently been assigned to the area due to trespassing and theft issues. The train slowed as it approached the Franklin County Infirmary, where he dropped from the engine in order to eject the two men from a boxcar. As he attempted to arrest the two men one of them pulled out a handgun and fatally shot him.
Both men, 17 and 21, fled the scene but were arrested a short time later by members of the Columbus Police Department.
Detective Gearen had served with the Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-00F8CB26- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Gearen gave the Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gearen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James P. Gearen is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James P. Gearen's cause is highlighted.
How James P. Gearen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. Gearen is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. Gearen was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
