On this date (January 14) 1988, a wife lost a husband, his four daughters lost a father, his mother lost a son, his five brothers and four sisters lost a brother, our nation lost a Veteran of the United States Army and the Dallas Police Department lost a Police Officer.
Investigator James Allen Joe was shot and killed as he investigated the report of an apartment burglary and possible Burglary of A Vehicle which occurred at the apartment complex where he resided, the Sage Wood Apartments, 9941 Whitehurst Drive.
As Investigator Joe approached two suspects near a parked Ford Mustang on the parking area of the apartments, one of two suspects opened fire. Investigator Joe returned fire and was immediately shot in the chest, but did shoot the firing suspect as he and the second suspect entered the suspect vehicle.
Before confronting the suspects, Investigator Joe had called the police dispatcher and requested cover elements. The first of these elements arrived just as the Ford Mustang fled. They found Investigator Joe laying on the parking area with his wife kneeling at his side.
The police helicopter was requested and they observed the suspect vehicle in the parking area of a nearby apartment complex, the Willow Lake Apartments, 9800 Whitehurst Drive.
Responding officers observed a blood trail, followed it and found Bernard Eugene Amos, age 26 hiding under a parked truck. He had received two gunshot wounds. He was placed under arrest and transported to Parkland Hospital.
Investigator Joe was transported to Presbyterian Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The second suspect had fled the scene. Subsequent investigation identified him as Gary Von Bennet, age 26, cousin of Suspect Amos. A warrant was issued and the suspect surrendered shortly afterwards.
Suspect Amos had nine convictions for burglary and was paroled from prison in May 1987. Suspect Bennett had five convictions for burglary and was paroled from prison in September 1987.
Suspects Amos and Bennett were charged with Capital Murder. Suspect Amos, the actual shooter, was convicted of Capital Murder, received the death penalty and was executed on December 6, 1995.
Suspect Bennett, who gave a voluntary statement, testified against Suspect Amos and found to not be armed at the time of the offense and was unaware of Suspect Amos being armed was convicted of Burglary of a Habitation after the Capital Murder Charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to 20 years.
Investigator James Allen Joe is interred at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery in the Garden of the Good Shepherd Section, Dallas, Texas.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2022 04:54PM by DallasCop2566.