Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Gaines was shot and killed while waiting for backup during the arrest of a drunk deputy constable at East Sixth and Trinity streets. At the time, white suspects could only be arrested by white officers. Officer Gaines was waiting for a white officer to arrive to make the arrest. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison.
Survivors
Officer Gaines was the first African-American policeman in Austin and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2D83C2C6- 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.
Police Officer Gaines served with the Austin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gaines.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John H. Gaines 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 Austin Police Dept., 12 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Gaines's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Gaines Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Gaines is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Gaines was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Austin Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
