Building Named for Slain Officer, James Bennett

By Don Munsch

(Published Thursday, October 13, 2005 in the Wise County Messenger)

The new Decatur Police station will bear the name of a former police officer - the only Decatur officer to ever be killed in the line of duty.
                                                      
The Decatur City Council on Monday approved naming the new Decatur public safety complex after Decatur Police Officer James "Poncho" Bennett, who was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in April 1980.

The station will be called the James "Poncho" Bennett Public Safety Complex, and a new sign with his name will be erected to replace the old sign in front of the building facing Charles Street.

The new police station is in the building that formerly housed Poco Graphite's administrative and sales offices. Police personnel moved into the new building a few weeks ago. They previously worked at the station on Pecan Street for 15 years, in what was once the city's library.

Police Chief Rex Hoskins told the council he thought naming the new complex would be a way for the city to honor Bennett and help the community to not forget someone whose life was lost in the line of duty. Bennett, 45, was shot and killed by a suspected thief who Bennett pulled over east of town on U.S. 380.

"It would be something for his family to treasure for the rest of their lives," Hoskins said.

"I'm very honored for that to occur," said Bennett's son Deroy, who lives in Decatur and serves as the Decatur fire marshal and a reserve police officer, as well as a firefighter for the city of Lewisville.

James Bennett's nickname, Poncho, was one he carried from his schoolboy days, his widow Joyce said. Bennett was a 26-year law enforcement veteran when he died.

"I think it's a great honor in his name," she said, adding that her husband loved his work and that a lot of people respected him.

"I'm real proud of the city for doing this," she said. "It's something that his son and grandkids will appreciate."

Hoskins said earlier this year that a portrait and plaque of Bennett will hang in the lobby of the new police station in Bennett's honor.