Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Monday, April 1, 1912
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 1, 1912
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Arrested
Detective James Gearen was shot and killed while attempting to eject two tramps from a freight train in Columbus, Ohio.
Detective Gearen had recently been assigned to the area due to trespassing and theft issues. The train slowed as it approached the Franklin County Infirmary, where he dropped from the engine in order to eject the two men from a boxcar. As he attempted to arrest the two men one of them pulled out a handgun and fatally shot him.
Both men, 17 and 21, fled the scene but were arrested a short time later by members of the Columbus Police Department.
Detective Gearen had served with the Norfolk and Western Railroad Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife.