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A silhouette of a police officer -
Hotel Dieu in Beaumont
Research into history of Texas police officers killed in the line of duty has led to the discovery of Beaumont Police Officer James A. Gaines, who died in the line of duty in 1917, but has never been officially recognized, according to an announcement by the Beaumont Police Department.
BPD released information as to what researchers have been able to verify, which is reportedly enough to have Officer Gaines added to the Beaumont Police Department Memorial, State of Texas Memorial, and National Police Officer Memorial. In an effort to recognize and honor Gaines’ ultimate sacrifice, the Beaumont Police Department is hoping to find a living relative.
“On March 14, 1917, Beaumont Police Motorcycle Officer James Augustin ‘Gus’ Gaines was in pursuit of a stolen motor vehicle when he collided with a bicycle at the intersection of Park and Wall streets,” BPD reports. “Officer Gaines was thrown from his motorcycle and struck his head upon the pavement. He was pronounced dead on March 15, 1917, at the Hotel Dieu.”
Gaines was born in Cherokee County, Alabama, on Aug. 23, 1882, the local police department further shared, adding that the future Beaumont police hero moved to the Lone Star State in 1884, before his parents ultimately settled in Beaumont in 1903.
“Prior to becoming a Beaumont Police Officer, Gaines was employed by the Beaumont Transfer Company,” BPD has learned of the late officer. “He was 35 years of age and survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Roberson Gaines-Bolen; his mother, Hester A. Bridwell Gaines-Ogle, of Beaumont; two sisters, S.L. Ward of Terrell, and A.L. Mundy of Wylie; one brother, Wesley R. Gaines, of Beaumont; two half-sisters, May Ogle and Ethel Mook, both of Beaumont; and one half-brother, Thomas J. Ogle, of Beaumont.”
Gaines was buried at the Magnolia Cemetery and the services were conducted by Rev. Fred Clark, pastor of the Park Street Baptist Church.
Anyone with additional information in reference to Officer James Gaines’ relatives is asked to contact BPD Sgt. Bobby Anderson at bobby.anderson@beaumonttexas.gov or (409) 980-7256.