Roll of Honor
James Thomas Dempsey
Incident
Special Agent James Dempsey was killed in a train crash near Moore's Station, five miles south of Winnfield, Louisiana, while in the engine of the railroad's passenger train known as the "Hustler."
The train derailed when as it passed over a partially opened switch. Special Agent Dempsey and the engineer were killed while two other employees were injured.
The railroad company was experiencing a worker strike at the time of the crash and foul play was suspected. A bloodhound conducted a successful track from the switch to a nearby highway. It is not known if foul play was ever proven.
Special Agent Dempsey had previously served with the Bowie County County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 in Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-623F23DC- 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 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Dempsey served with the Louisiana and Arkansas Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Shreveport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Dempsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent James Thomas Dempsey is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In LA, 180 of 595 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30.3% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Louisiana and Arkansas Railway Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Thomas Dempsey's cause is highlighted.
How James Thomas Dempsey Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James Thomas Dempsey is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Louisiana and Arkansas Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
