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Incident
Sergeant Mike Lane was killed when the department helicopter he was riding in crashed.
Sergeant Lane and a deputy from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were investigating reports of a fire. At approximately 10:30 pm, the helicopter crashed into Sabine Lake about five miles east of the Rainbow Bridge and 2-1/2 miles south of Stewts Island.
The deputy survived the crash and was able to swim to safety, however, Sergeant Lane suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact.
Sergeant Lane had served with the Beaumont Police Department for 32 years.
Sergeant Lane had served with the Beaumont Police Department for 32 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Lane gave the Beaumont Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Beaumont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Beaumont Police Department has lost 21 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 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 Beaumont Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 2.
In 2004, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
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 54. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Beaumont Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 36.5; the middle age was 34. James had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
James was 54. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 54. 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 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 54. 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 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 27.3% of these deaths at Beaumont Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 27.3%.
September holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 52.4% of all 21 deaths at Beaumont Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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
Beaumont Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, James among them.
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William E. Patterson Sep 25, 1881
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George Frederick May 7, 1902
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Walter W. Stansbury Jul 23, 1903
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Bryon Merritt Dec 17, 1905
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James A. Gaines
Mar 15, 1917
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Clarence Brammer
Sep 19, 1923
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James A. Davis
Dec 6, 1925
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Gordon Udell Warrick
Apr 15, 1944
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Revis Joseph Landry
Dec 4, 1945
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Henry Norman Williams
Apr 26, 1950
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Ronny Lee Garcia
May 19, 1970
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Jack L. Pickering, Jr.
May 19, 1970
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Patrick Bruce Hunt
Sep 8, 1977
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Danny Dean Richmond
Mar 12, 1980
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Paul Douglas Hulsey, Jr.
Mar 22, 1988
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Conrad Sudario Gernale
Sep 6, 2002
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James Michael Lane
Sep 16, 2004
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Lisa Renee Ligda-Beaulieu
Apr 27, 2007
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Bryan Mitchell Hebert
Jul 8, 2011
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Kimberly Seago
Jun 18, 2017
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Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell
Aug 9, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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