Roll of Honor
James Maurice Bostick
Incident
Special Agent James Bostick was shot and killed in Gulfport, Mississippi, while conducting surveillance in the North Yard. During the surveillance Agent Bostick interrupted several suspects breaking into a boxcar. When he confronted them he was attacked and shot five times; twice in the arm and three times in the back of the head. The suspects then stole all of his personal items, including his gun and badge, and moved his body over 150 yards in an attempt to hide it under straw. His body was not located until early the next morning after his wife called the train yard to inquire on his whereabouts. A suspect was soon apprehended. Three weeks later another was apprehended in Gulfport. On May 29, 1974, a suspect, 20, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Three days later another, 23, was sentenced to death. In 1977 and 1978 both's sentences were commuted to life. One was paroled in 1986. The other was denied parole in March of 1996.
Survivors
Agent Bostick was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-4B753380- 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.
Special Agent Bostick served with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Bostick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent James Maurice Bostick 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department, 3 of 3 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 Maurice Bostick's cause is highlighted.
How James Maurice Bostick Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Maurice Bostick is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Maurice Bostick was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
