Research into history of Texas Police Officers killed in the line of duty has led to the discovery of another Beaumont Police Officer named James A. Gaines that died in the line of duty in 1917, but has never been officially recognized. The following information is what researchers have been able to verify and is enough to have Officer Gaines added to the Beaumont P.D., State of Texas and National Police Officer Memorials. In an effort to recognize and honor Officer Gaines’ ultimate sacrifice, The Beaumont Police Department is hoping to find a living relative.
On March 14, 1917, Beaumont Police Motorcycle Officer James Augustin “Gus” Gaines was in pursuit of a stolen motor vehicle when he collided with a bicycle at the intersection of Park and Wall streets. Officer Gaines was thrown from his motorcycle and struck his head upon the pavement. He was pronounced dead on March 15, 1917, at the Hotel Dieu.
Gaines was born in Cherokee County, Alabama on August 23, 1882. In 1884, he moved to Texas with his parents, ultimately settling in Beaumont, Texas in 1903. Prior to becoming a Beaumont Police Officer, Gaines was employed by the Beaumont Transfer Company. He was thirty-five years of age and survived by his wife; Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Roberson Gaines-Bolen; his mother, Hester A. Bridwell Gaines-Ogle of Beaumont, TX; two sisters, S.L. Ward of Terrell, TX & A.L. Mundy of Wylie, TX; one brother, Wesley R. Gaines of Beaumont; two half-sisters, May Ogle and Ethel Mook of Beaumont, TX; and one half-brother, Thomas J. Ogle of Beaumont, TX. Officer Gaines was buried at the Magnolia Cemetery and the services were conducted by Rev. Fred Clark, pastor of the Park Street Baptist Church.
Anyone with additional information in reference to Officer James Gaines’ relatives, please contact Sgt. Bobby Anderson at [email protected] or 409-980-7256.
