580. Pensacola Loses Officer James W. R. Gordon 1889

Updated: Mar 19, 2022

On Sunday September 22, 1889, Pensacola police Officer James W. R. Gordon arrested a local engineer by the name of David Sheehan on Saturday September 21, 1889. During the arrest Sheehan resisted causing Officer Gordon to club him with his nightstick. Sheehan was later released from the jail on bond but remained angry over his arrest.

The next day Sheehan was drinking at “Smart’s” saloon with Tom Mullen, a local laborer. They came out of the bar and walked up Palafox and turned the corner onto Zarragossa Street where they ran into Officer Gordon. Hot words were exchanged between the two and Gordon was heard to say, “I had to do my duty.” Mullens walked on for about twenty paces when he heard gunshots fired. Apparently, the argument had escalated with both combatants pulling out pistols. Gordon fired twice at Sheehan missing both times as Sheehan stepped behind a gas lamp and fired once at the officer. As Sheehan retreated Gordon fired once more, which was then followed by another shot from Sheehan. Suddenly, Officer Gordon staggered about 15 or 20 steps into John Sheppard’s Drug Store at 405 South Palafox Street on the corner of Palafox and Main Street. There he collapsed onto the floor where he died 20 minutes later. Sheehan was apprehended by Officer Hutchinson and booked into the city jail.

Gordon was 35-years old and a widower with three children and his body was turned over to the Northup & Woods undertakers for preparation. Upon completion his remains were shipped back home by train to Alabama for burial, His family was also presented a check for $2,000 from the Knights of Honor benevolent organization to offset any living expenses needed for his children’s welfare.

Shortly thereafter, a bond hearing was held with the Sheehan represented by attorney Stephen R. Mallory and Charles B. Parkhill and the state by the county solicitor William Fisher Sr. Bond was denied and a jury was assembled of: (1) John C. Pons, a barber, (2) William Cosgrove, timber stevedore, (3) C. F. Jennings sawmill worker, (4) Isham Henderson, a laborer, (5) Daniel M. Majors, a disabled Confederate veteran, (6) Michael J. Cornelius, a bartender, (7) J. C. Milstead, (8) Stephen S. Leonard, carpenter and builder (9) James C. Van Pelt, a farmer and future sheriff, (10) Lawrence S. Browder, farmer (11) W. J. McNeal, (12) John Beasley Vaughn, of Bluff Springs Florida House of Representatives 1889-1893.

The trial began on December 20th before the Honorable James F. McClellan and upon its conclusion the judge told the jury that the clubbing by Officer Gordon the previous day did not justify murder nor did the fact that Officer Gordon might have fired the first shot. Upon completion of his speech Judge McClellan excused the jury to proceed to the jury room and come out with a verdict. After fifty-five minutes they exited the room with a verdict of “not guilty.”

Afterwards, Sheehan stayed in the area and continued working as the Port Warden of Pensacola in 1893 and five years later, had become the assistant Harbor Master while living at 421 East Zarragossa Street. Living with him was his sons James H., who was working as a conductor with the Pensacola Railway Company and William F. who was a student at the Meux Business College. By 1903, Sheehan had been promoted to Harbormaster having moved to 214 Church Street. By this time James had moved out on his own and taken a job as a fireman for the Pensacola Fire Department while living on his own at 115 South Alcaniz Street.

On August 7, 1905, Sheehan died from tuberculosis at his home at 410 Florida Blanca Street. He had been forced to retire from his “Marine Engineer” position because of his illness and his condition had steadily worsened over time. He was buried in St. Michael’s cemetery where he joined his wife Amanda who had passed before him on December 22, 1898 from pneumonia. Likewise, his son William F. Sheehan died suddenly from pneumonia as well on August 15, 1905 during the Yellow Fever epidemic at the age of 23-years old. Then his son James died on September 17, 1911 at the age of 33-years old.