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James G. Godwin
Incident
Assistant Superintendent James Godwin was shot and killed during an escape attempt at the Florida State Prison. The inmate who shot Assistant Superintendent Godwin was a suspect in the murder of Patrolman Alje Savela, of the Massachusetts State Police, on August 31st, 1951. The man later died while in prison. Assistant Superintendent Godwin is buried in Crosby Lake Cemetery, Starke, Bradford County, Florida.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Assistant Superintendent Godwin served with the Florida Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Superintendent Godwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida Department of Corrections has lost 33 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer at Florida Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1955, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1955, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1955, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 56. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Florida Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 49; the middle age was 40.
James was 56. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
James was 56. 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.
James was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 18.2% of these deaths at Florida Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 27.3%. Mondays: 18.2%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Mondays: 10.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 33 deaths at Florida Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Florida Department of Corrections has 33 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James G. Godwin
Apr 4, 1955
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Howard Daniel Starling
Jul 4, 1964
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Lester B. Sumner
Apr 26, 1965
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James W. Parr, Sr.
Aug 11, 1966
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Paul Jordan
Jan 24, 1976
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Lauriston F. Hustus, Jr.
Jul 16, 1980
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Richard James Burke
Oct 12, 1980
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Bjorn Thomas Svenson
Aug 31, 1982
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Donald L. Pawlizak Apr 21, 1983
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John S. Dennard
May 5, 1983
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Michael Peter Serano
Jan 6, 1984
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Fred Sidney Griffis
Jun 24, 1987
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Hoyt L. Ergle
Dec 15, 1987
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Charles Andrew Cooper
Sep 15, 1988
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Kenneth M. Hendrick
Jan 28, 1993
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Lee Charles Dunn
Jan 24, 2000
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Darla Kay Lathrem
Jun 11, 2003
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Donna Fitzgerald
Jun 25, 2008
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Adam Michael Sanderson
Mar 6, 2009
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Gregory Guy Malloy
Feb 2, 2011
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Ruben Howard Thomas, III
Mar 18, 2012
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Jorge Ramos
May 1, 2016
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Joseph Ossman
Sep 10, 2017
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Tawanna V. Marin
Jun 18, 2018
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Nicklaus Dustin Knight May 12, 2019
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Robert Wayne Rogers
Jul 31, 2020
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Jack Sale Stewart
Feb 13, 2021
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William Scott Fox
Mar 4, 2021
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John Annarumma
Mar 6, 2021
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Derek Stewart
Apr 28, 2021
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Whitney Nicole Cloud
Aug 28, 2021
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Kelly Jo Klimkowski
Sep 28, 2021
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James Alexander Jackson
Aug 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Florida Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
