James Arvil Lamance, a 53-year-old male, was a Corporal with the Whitewright Police Department in Texas. On December 23, 2000, he was tragically shot and killed while pursuing a suspected drunk driver. Corporal Lamance and his brother, who was a reserve officer with the same agency, were on patrol when they spotted the suspect and attempted to pull him over. The suspect, known to police and having fled from them on several occasions, led the officers into a field off County Road 4510 in Fannin County. There, the suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire on the officers with a rifle, striking Corporal Lamance in the head. Despite his brother's efforts to return fire, the suspect was not hit and managed to escape the scene.
The suspect was arrested early the next morning at his residence.
The suspect was charged with capital murder, but in April 2002, he was acquitted of the charge. This outcome was a significant blow to the family and colleagues of Corporal Lamance, who felt that justice had not been served. Corporal Lamance had served with the Whitewright Police Department for three years and was survived by his wife and two daughters. The incident left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
