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Incident
Sheriff Leonard Morehead was shot and killed while attending a magic show in Steep Hollow.
He was seated in the back row when a man approached him and fired a shotgun at his head. The shotgun was loaded with nails, screws, and bolts. The suspect, 35, a former mental patient, declared cured and released from a Texas insane asylum 12 years earlier, was adjudged insane and committed to Austin State Hospital.
Sheriff Morehead was elected sheriff of the Brazos County Sheriff's Office on November 5, 1918, and re-elected on November 2, 1920, and November 7, 1922. His wife was appointed to complete his term in office on March 30, 1924, and served until January 1, 1925. She became the second female sheriff in Texas history. When interviewed in 1959, she said one of the things she remembered the most when she was sheriff was pouring out 718 quarts of illegal liquor during prohibition, which took her five hours.
Sheriff Morehead was survived by a child by his first wife, who preceded him in death, and his second wife and two children.
He was buried in the Bryan City Cemetery.
Sheriff Morehead was elected sheriff of the Brazos County Sheriff's Office on November 5, 1918, and re-elected on November 2, 1920, and November 7, 1922. His wife was appointed to complete his term in office on March 30, 1924, and served until January 1, 1925. She became the second female sheriff in Texas history. When interviewed in 1959, she said one of the things she remembered the most when she was sheriff was pouring out 718 quarts of illegal liquor during prohibition, which took her five hours.
Survivors
Sheriff Morehead was survived by a child by his first wife, who preceded him in death, and his second wife and two children.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Morehead gave the Brazos County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bryan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Morehead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brazos County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Leonard is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leonard was 43. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Leonard had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Leonard was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Brazos County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Brazos County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Leonard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Brazos County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
