Incident
Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Kays was shot and killed with her own weapon after being attacked by a homeless man who had just been released from jail. Deputy Kays was escorting the man from the Lew Sterrett Justice Center when he suddenly turned and punched her, knocking her to the ground. He continued to strike her on the ground and took her gun while they struggled. He then shot and killed her before running toward the booking area, where he was confronted by several Dallas Police officers who ordered him to drop the gun. When he refused, he was shot in the legs and groin by an officer with a shotgun. The subject was found incompetent to stand trial and sent to a Texas mental institution. He was sentenced to two life terms. He died in prison. Deputy Kays was a United States Army veteran and had graduated from her academy class only one week before the incident and was on her second shift. She had been in law enforcement for four years. The Suzanne L. Kays Detention Facility was named in her honor.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. One record, 2 gates. Suzanne 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.
Deputy Sheriff Kays gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, sister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Suzanne Lee Kays served in the U.S. Army (1975â1979) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Suzanne is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Suzanne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Suzanne 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 1989, 1 officer at Dallas County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1871, with 2.
In 1989, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Suzanne was 33. 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. Suzanne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Suzanne was 33. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Suzanne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Suzanne was 33. 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. Suzanne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Suzanne was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Suzanne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 28.6% of these deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Her people
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Suzanne 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
Suzanne Lee Kays served in the U.S. Army (1975–1979) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Suzanne Lee Kays’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 2-E
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.














