Patrol James Leroy Bennett

Death by Force

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 Offic ...Read More