James Carol Douglas

Brazoria County Sheriff's Office — Angleton, TX

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 15, 1973

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 111 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 11

Incident

Deputy Sheriff James Douglas was shot and killed after responding to a civil dispute between neighbors who were arguing over their property line. While at the scene, in the Old Ocean area of the county, one of the men assaulted him. During the struggle, a second man shot Deputy Douglas in the chest four times with a .25 caliber handgun. Although mortally wounded, Deputy Douglas was able to make it back to his patrol car, where he collapsed. A man, 60, and his nephew, 25, and the killer, were arrested and charged with murder. Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The Texas Court of Appeals dismissed the mans conviction and ordered a new trial for his nephew. On July 30, 1977, he was found guilty of murder without malice which carried a minimum penalty of 2 years and a maximum penalty of 5 years. Deputy Douglas was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office for only six weeks and had previously served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-1C9D705B
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.
Deputy Sheriff Douglas served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Angleton 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

Department Brazoria County Sheriff's Office

Location Angleton, TX

Platform Identity bcso.brazoria.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 15, 1973

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber

Offender Charged with murder

Military Service

James Carol Douglas served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff James Carol Douglas 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Brazoria County Sheriff's Office

of 12 officers

66.7% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious