Patrolman James A. Staggs
Des Moines Police Department
Iowa
End of Watch: Friday, April 20, 1928

Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 72

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Friday, April 20, 1928
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Not available

Patrolman 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 been with the agency for five years.