Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Bobby James was killed when his cruiser was forced off of the road while chasing the suspect who had just shot and killed Officer Ben Gerhart. Officer Gerhart had stopped the suspect after observing the man and a woman throwing bottles from their car. He placed the suspect in his cruiser and returned to the vehicle to talk to the woman. The man suddenly ran back to the car and retrieved a handgun from under the seat and opened fire as Officer Gerhart drew his weapon. The suspect then stole Officer Gerhart's weapon and fled the scene. Several officers began chasing the suspect after locating the vehicle. During the pursuit, the suspect fired at the officers before forcing Officer James' cruiser off the road on Beaumont Highway near Talcott Lane. The suspect fled on foot but was shot and killed in an ensuing shootout.
Survivors
Officer James served with the Houston Police Department for 17 years and was survived by his wife, mother, three daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-41C1564C- 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 James gave the Houston Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Bobby Lee James 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bobby Lee James's cause is highlighted.
How Bobby Lee James Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby Lee James is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bobby Lee James was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
