Patrolman James Herbert Brigman - Miami Police Dept. - FL - True Life Hero

James Herbert Brigman
- Feb. 28, 1951 -

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Miami Police Dept. Patch

Resided:	FL, USA
Born:	Jul. 29, 1915
Fallen:	Feb. 28, 1951
Race/Sex:	Caucasian Male / 35 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	Miami Police Dept. - FL 400 NW 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33128 USA (305)603-6640
County:	Miami-Dade
Dept. Type:	Municipal/Police
Hero's Rank:	Patrolman
Sworn Date:	8/1941
FBI Class:	Crash
Weapon Class:	Vehicle
Agency URL:	Click Here
On The Job:	12 years

Bio: James Herbert Brigman, 35, was born July 29, 1915, in Chesterfield, S.C., to John J. Brigman and Bertha E. Purvis Brigman. He was one of nine children (six boys and three girls). He attended school through the eighth grade in Chesterfield and then moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in two restaurants (one owned by the Marriotts). He moved to Miami in Nov. of 1937 at the age of 22.

In 1937 James met Pearl E. Vogel, 20, in Washington, D.C. where both worked. Pearl was born and raised in Jacksonville but worked summers in cities on the east coast and winters in Miami. On Nov. 9, 1937, James Brigman and Pearl Vogel were married in Ft. Lauderdale by Judge Boyd Anderson. Brigman worked for one year for the Public Works Department before joining the Miami Police Department on Aug. 6, 1941, at the age of 26. Police records indicate that he was 5'11" and 183 lbs. James Brigman took a leave from the Police Department in 1942 and joined the Navy. He went through training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Michigan. He became a 2nd class petty officer and worked in the Shore Patrol at Virginia Beach, VA, until 1946.

Brigman returned to Miami in 1946 and rejoined the Miami Police Department. During most of his tenure with the Dept. he was assigned to the Traffic Safety Bureau. He rode for 4 & 1/2 years with fellow officer William H. Pumphrey. Other close friends on the police force were Edward Cowart (who later became Chief Judge Cowart), Bob Lewis and Assistant Chief James Youell. Brigman also won several commendations for his marksmanship in pistol shooting.

Brigman was a "true sportsman and outdoorsman--an avid fisherman and wild game hunter." Pearl often told her husband that she was a "fisherman's widow" as he spent so much of his time fishing. He was particularly fond of fishing in the FL Keys. James Brigman was also a "Mason/Scottish rite."

Survived by:

Pearl E. Vogel Brigman - Wife

five brothers (John C. of Miami Springs, Donald G. of Cheraw, SC, Bruce of Falls Church, VA, Wilson, of New Orleans, LA, and Robert of Chesterfield, SC) and three sisters (Elizabeth Brigman Teal of Chesterfield, SC, Margie Brigman Parker of Bamberg, SC, and Betty Brigman Vick of Chesterfield, SC.

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	Thomas C. McGill

Location:	FL USA Wed. Feb. 28, 1951
Summary:	James Herbert Brigman, 35, a 12-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, was killed in a traffic accident while on duty on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1951. The officer was crushed between his police vehicle and a church after he was struck by another vehicle. Brigman became the 21st Miami officer killed in the line of duty. The accident occurred at 4:50PM at N.W. First Pl. and 13th St. at the location of the New Jerusalem Holiness Church of God in Miami when a car driven by Thomas C. McGill, 24, struck Brigman's car causing it to careen out of control. The impact of the collision sprung open the driver's door of Brigman's car and he "clung to it, half in and out of the car, until he was smashed against the side of the church building." Brigman was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead of a crushed skull. Thomas Ferguson, coroner, signed the death certificate, classifying the death as an accident caused by a crushed skull.
Disposition:	E.K. Rawls, an investigator for the accident prevention bureau, said he planned to file manslaughter charges against McGill. However, Dade County "court of crimes" records indicate that McGill was only charged with "reckless driving." No record of the final disposition of the case could be found in the county archives.
Source:	Book Excerpted in part or in whole from Dr. Wilbanks book- FORGOTTEN HEROES: POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN DADE COUNTY, FL, 1895-1995 by William Wilbanks Louisville: Turner Publications 1996

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Last Updated: May. 29, 2019