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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Austin Police Department has lost 28 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer at Austin Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1913, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 50. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Austin Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.8 and 39.3; the middle age was 31.5.
John was 50. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 50. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 25% of these deaths at Austin Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 8.3%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 28 deaths at Austin Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Austin Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Cornelius L. Fahey
Mar 8, 1875
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John H. Gaines Nov 19, 1913
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Thomas Allen
Oct 24, 1915
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James Newel Littlepage
Oct 9, 1928
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William Murray Stuart
Oct 16, 1933
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James R. Cummings
Dec 3, 1933
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Elkins Pond Morrison
Feb 3, 1936
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Walter Lee Tucker, Jr.
Oct 14, 1948
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Donald Eugene Carpenter
Jan 30, 1964
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Billy Paul Speed
Aug 1, 1966
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Thomas Wayne Birtrong
Aug 23, 1974
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Leland Dale Anderson
Jun 6, 1975
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Ralph Allen Ablanedo
May 18, 1978
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Lee Craig Smith
Dec 15, 1979
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Robert Townes Martinez, Jr.
Feb 25, 1989
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Drew Alan Bolin
Jun 2, 1995
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Clinton Warren Hunter
Nov 29, 2001
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Earl Alison Hall
Mar 4, 2002
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Amy Lynn Donovan
Oct 31, 2004
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Jaime De Luna Padron
Apr 6, 2012
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Clay Douglas Crabb
Oct 16, 2013
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Amir Abdul-Khaliq
Sep 4, 2016
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Lewis Andrew Traylor
Jul 31, 2021
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Randolph Boyd, Jr.
Aug 25, 2021
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Steve Urias
Aug 26, 2021
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Eric Shawn Lindsey
Dec 5, 2021
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Anthony Martin
Sep 23, 2022
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Jorge Pastore
Nov 11, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
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