Dallas Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, January 14, 1988
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 4 years, 3 months
Badge Number: 4949
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 14, 1988
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed
Officer James Joe was shot and killed while off duty after observing a burglary-in-progress at an apartment complex he resided in on Whitehurst Drive.
He called for additional units before confronting the suspects and identifying himself as an officer. One of the suspects opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. He was able to return fire and wound that suspect. Officer Joe died in his wife's arms.
The second man testified against the shooter and received 20 years. The shooter was sentenced to death and was executed on December 6th, 1995.
Officer Joe was a U.S Army veteran of the Vietnam war and had served with the Dallas Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife and six children.