Seattle Police Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, November 28, 1897
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 28, 1897
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 12 years
Detective James Wells was shot and killed by a suspect he was transporting in a horse-drawn wagon to police headquarters.
When they arrived at headquarters the prisoner produced a handgun and shot Detective Wells. Detective Wells was able to return fire, striking the suspect as he fled. The man was arrested was captured a short time later.
The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. On July 26, 1908, he shot and killed a man in Ferry County. On May 28, 1909, he was apprehended in Quesne, British Columbia, after a chase through Victoria. He was returned to Washington, convicted of second-degree murder, and sent back to prison.
Detective Wells had served with the Seattle Police Department for five years and had previously served with the King County Sheriff's Department for two years.