Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Patrol Officer

James Leroy Bennett

Decatur Police Department — Decatur, TX

Felonious

End of Watch April 3, 1980

Age 45

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Officer James Bennett was shot and killed when he stopped a suspect wanted for stealing a .22 caliber rifle in a nearby town. The traffic stop occurred on US 380, about one mile east of Decatur. As Officer Bennett approached the vehicle, the suspect exited with the rifle, pointed it at Officer Bennett, and told him to put his hands up. Officer Bennett complied, but the suspect opened fire and shot him in the throat. The 17-year-old suspect fled the scene but was quickly apprehended. He was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole on October 15, 2021. His next parole hearing is in September 2026. Officer Bennett served with the Decatur Police Department for six years.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-72A61C78
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.
Patrol Officer Bennett gave the Decatur Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Bennett.

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

Agency

Department Decatur Police Department

Location Decatur, TX

Platform Identity dpd.wise.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 3, 1980

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber

Offender Cause: Gunfire

Patrol Officer James Leroy Bennett 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%.

Decatur Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Leroy Bennett's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Leroy Bennett Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Cause: Gunfire

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Leroy Bennett is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Leroy Bennett was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518