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Samuel Garcia Infante Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Infante, Deputy William Reese, and Deputy Arthur Robertson, of the Ellis County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed after being abducted by two men while conducting a burglary investigation. Their murders became known as the "Trinity River Massacre". Deputy Reese and Deputy Infante were backing up Deputy Robertson at the home of one of the suspects. Five deputies were abducted and taken to the Trinity River. The three deputies killed were shot execution style. A fourth Dallas County deputy was able to escape and get help. The fifth deputy was shot in the chest but survived. The suspects, 24 and 33, were apprehended four days later in Dallas after the most intensive search in Dallas County history. They later told investigators they wanted to leave Dallas and get away as far as they could, but their heroin habit was so bad they needed to stay near their suppliers. The oldest had spent 18 years of his life in prison for numerous crimes, including armed robbery and burglary. A murder charge against him had been dropped recently because witnesses refused or were either too afraid to testify. The case had widespread repercussions in Dallas for reasons other than the actual killing. Two persons believed to be informants in the hunt for the two had died. One was shot and killed in Dallas. The other was killed in an oil drilling accident that had indications of foul play. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1972 their sentences were commuted to life. The youngest was paroled on December 18, 1990. No one was notified of his parole hearing. His parole angered so many state and federal officials that the parole process was changed. The most major change was that anyone convicted of capital murder could not be considered for parole for 35 years. Then in October of 1995, the suspect was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Lubbock. For reasons unknown, nothing surfaced that he had violated his parole. Thanks to a Da
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Infante gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas 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
Samuel Garcia Infante Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers at Dallas County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 15 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 32. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Dallas County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.8 and 38.5; the middle age was 33.5. Samuel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Samuel was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 42.9%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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James McMahan Jan 16, 1871
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Charles H. Nichols
Jan 20, 1871
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George V. Vise Jun 5, 1878
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Addison C. Pate
Sep 9, 1895
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Thomas I. Woods
Dec 21, 1922
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Willis Glover Champion
Sep 26, 1923
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James C. Wright Sep 28, 1924
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Thomas L. Noell
May 31, 1928
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James Willis Fuller
Jun 13, 1932
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Cecil Vincent Chapman
Sep 9, 1934
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Kassie Mae Chandler
Dec 16, 1948
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James Weldon Hill
Nov 9, 1964
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E. R. Walthers
Jan 10, 1969
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Samuel Garcia Infante, Jr.
Feb 15, 1971
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William Don Reese
Feb 15, 1971
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Esteban Velasquez, Jr.
Feb 24, 1980
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Ray Edward Kovar
Jun 20, 1982
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Suzanne Lee Kays
Jan 4, 1989
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James Robert Allman
Aug 5, 1995
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Bobby Eugene Pace
Sep 24, 1998
Where
Military Service
Samuel Garcia Infante Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Samuel Garcia Infante Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Dallas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
