Patrol Officer James Leroy Bennett, aged 45, was a dedicated officer with the Decatur Police Department in Texas. On April 3, 1980, Officer Bennett was tragically shot and killed during a routine traffic stop on US 380, about one mile east of Decatur. The incident occurred when Officer Bennett stopped a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old suspect wanted for stealing a .22 caliber rifle in a nearby town. As Officer Bennett approached the vehicle, the suspect exited with the rifle, pointed it at Officer Bennett, and demanded that he put his hands up. Officer Bennett complied, but the suspect opened fire, shooting him in the throat.
The suspect fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by other officers. He was charged with capital murder and found guilty, receiving a life sentence. Despite multiple parole hearings, he has remained incarcerated, with his next parole hearing scheduled for September 2026. Officer Bennett had served with the Decatur Police Department for six years and is survived by his wife and son.
The loss of Officer Bennett deeply affected the community and his colleagues, who remember him for his dedication and the impact he had on those around him. His legacy continues to be honored by those who knew him and by the law enforcement community at large.
