James Allen Joe was a 34-year-old Dallas Police Department officer who was fatally shot on January 14, 1988. Off-duty and living at an apartment complex on Whitehurst Drive, he observed a burglary-in-progress where he resided. He called for backup, then confronted the suspects and identified himself as an officer. During the confrontation one of the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Joe. He was able to return fire and wound that suspect before dying in his wife’s arms.

James 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. The shooter was later sentenced to death and executed on December 6, 1995; a second suspect testified against the shooter and received a 20-year sentence.

Anyone who knew Officer Joe or who has information about the events at the Whitehurst Drive apartment complex is asked to share what they remember.