James G. Lewis End of Watch: April 27, 2004

At approximately 2:29 PM on April 27, 2004, Tacoma Police Traffic Officer James G. Lewis, 45, was responding to a call to assist Detectives in stopping a vehicle believed to contain a homicide suspect.  Officer Lewis was driving his Kawasaki police motorcycle southbound on Alaska Street using his emergency lights and siren.  Approaching South 55th Street, Officer Lewis began passing a southbound car.  This car suddenly turned left in front of Officer Lewis.  Unable to stop in time, the police motorcycle struck the side of the car, throwing Officer Lewis against the car and pinning his body under his motorcycle.

Officer Lewis was transported to Tacoma General Hospital where the medical staff worked diligently to save the injured Officer's life, but these efforts were unsuccessful.  At 5:16 PM, Officer Lewis was pronounced dead.

Officer James Lewis joined the Tacoma Police Department on January 7, 1985 and served most of his career in the Patrol Division.  An avid mountain climber and sportsman, he served for many years in the Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit, as well as the Police and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.  Officer Lewis was promoted to Police Patrol Specialist in April 1990 and transferred to the Tacoma Police Traffic Unit in January 2004.

Officer Lewis was survived by his wife Kanchana (Toy), and their son Nicholas (Nick).

Gone But Not Forgotten