J. M. Baskin

Waco Police Department — Waco, TX

Felonious

End of Watch August 28, 1936

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 72 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Patrolman J. M. Baskin was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance on Colcord Avenue involving a man who refused to pay a one-dollar taxi fare. The suspect opened fire with a shotgun, mortally wounding Patrolman Baskin. The suspect was apprehended a short time later. Patrolman Baskin was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds ten days later. The 60-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years. He died in prison on May 15, 1942.

Survivors

Patrolman Baskin was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-E90C84A2
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.
Patrolman Baskin served with the Waco Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Baskin.

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

Agency

Department Waco Police Department

Location Waco, TX

Platform Identity wacopd.mclennan.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 28, 1936

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Died in prison

Patrolman J. M. Baskin 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 Waco Police Department, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.

Waco Police Department

of 11 officers

81.8% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious