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Incident
Sheriff David Clabaugh was killed near Murvaul when he walked into the rotors of a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter during a manhunt for a murder suspect. The helicopter had landed on FM 1971 to pickup Sheriff Clabaugh. As he approached the helicopter from the rear he walked too close to the rear rotor blade and was sucked into it. He suffered fatal injuries as a result. The fugitive was later captured and sentenced to prison. Sheriff Clabaugh was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. David is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Clabaugh served with the Panola County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Carthage community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David L. Clabaugh served in the the United States military (1945â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Panola County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
David is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 6 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 56. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
David was 56. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
David was 56. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 11.7% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Thursdays: 11.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Panola County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Panola County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Military Service
David L. Clabaugh served in the U.S. Army (1945–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit David L. Clabaugh’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Panola County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
