James A. Staggs
Agency patch
Patrolman

James A. Staggs

Des Moines Police Department — Des Moines, IA
Felonious
End of Watch April 20, 1928
Age 42
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 72
The Vigil Panel 55 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Staggs was killed in an accident while attempting to pull over a drunk driver. He and another officer were transporting a prisoner to jail when they noticed a car weaving back and forth across the roadway. Thinking the driver was drunk they pulled next to his vehicle to tell him to pull over. The driver suddenly veered towards the police car, causing Patrolman Staggs to swerve into the path of an oncoming streetcar. Patrolman Staggs was killed almost instantly. Patrolman Staggs had served with the Des Moines Police Department for five years.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Staggs gave the Des Moines Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Staggs.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Des Moines, Polk County, IA
Platform Identity dmpd.polk.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 20, 1928
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 42
Badge Number 72
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 42. 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 had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, James among them.

Patrolman James A. Staggs

Des Moines Police Department · End of Watch April 20, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W

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