Police Officer John H. Gaines

John H. Gaines

Police Officer John Gaines was shot and killed while waiting for backup during the arrest of a drunk deputy constable at East Sixth and Trinity streets. At the time, white suspects could only be arrested by white officers. Officer Gaines was waiting for a white officer to arrive to make the arrest.

The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison.

Officer Gaines was the first African-American policeman in Austin and was survived by his wife.