Paul Aaron Emerson, Sr.

Port Arthur Police Department — Port Arthur, TX

Felonious

End of Watch August 3, 1967

Age 37

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 102 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Officer Paul Emerson was shot and killed when he and his partner surprised a burglar at a local business. When officers noticed the subject fleeing a closed business, they initiated a foot pursuit. The subject turned around and fired at the officers, striking Officer Emerson in the neck. His partner was able to apprehend the suspect and arrest him. The suspect was later convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to life. Officer Emerson had served with the Port Arthur Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-5C0364B3
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.
Officer Emerson gave the Port Arthur Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Arthur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Emerson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Port Arthur Police Department

Location Port Arthur, TX

Platform Identity papd.jefferson.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 3, 1967

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Officer Paul Aaron Emerson, Sr. 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 Port Arthur Police Department, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.

Port Arthur Police Department

of 7 officers

85.7% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious