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Incident
Police Officer Jim Lewis was killed when his department motorcycle collided with a vehicle.
He was responding to backup an officer who had just stopped a wanted felon. Officer Lewis was southbound on Alaska Street with his emergency lights flashing and its siren activated. A line of cars also headed south on Alaska Street stopped in the street just before 55th Street as Officer Lewis was approaching. Officer Lewis maneuvered his motorcycle into the northbound lanes to pass them. Another motorist near the head of the line tried to turn left off Alaska Street onto 55th Street. The motorist unknowingly steered her car right into Officer Lewis' path.
Officer Lewis' Kawasaki Police 1000 motorcycle struck the car near the front of the driver's side door. He was thrown from the motorcycle and his head struck the ground when he landed.
He was transported to Tacoma General Hospital where he died about three hours later.
Officer Lewis had served with the Tacoma Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Lewis gave the Tacoma Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tacoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tacoma Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer at Tacoma Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 2004, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 45. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Tacoma Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 45; the middle age was 44. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 45. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Tacoma Police Department; November holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 40%.
April holds 3.6% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Tuesdays: 11.7%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Tacoma Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tacoma Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Minor Cudihee
Jul 30, 1892
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Lloyd M. Kincaid Oct 28, 1918
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William Wickman
Aug 9, 1925
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Paul Andrew Trent
Nov 23, 1941
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Martin J. Joyce
Nov 25, 1941
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Lief Ben Overdahl
Jan 22, 1957
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Larry Leland Frost
Sep 9, 1977
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Craig Alan Nollmeyer
Jan 24, 1985
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Larry W. Walker
Oct 25, 1986
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William Francis Lowry
Aug 28, 1997
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James Gordon Lewis
Apr 27, 2004
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Reginald Jake Gutierrez
Nov 30, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tacoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
