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Incident
Sheriff Isham Fate Elder was shot and killed along with his brother, Deputy Sheriff Bud Elder, and Deputy Sheriff Jack Bailey. Local citizens Hiram and Henry Pullin were also killed while Deputy Sheriff V.O. Barfield, Deputy Sheriff William G. Butler, Deputy Christopher P. Dailey, and County Attorney F. R. Graves were wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
Shortly before noon on Monday, September 6, 1886, Sheriff Elder was sitting outside a polling place at Daileyville. Sheriff Elder observed two men ride into town, one of whom was wanted in connection with a murder that had occurred at Floresville in Wilson County. The two men dismounted and each took a Winchester rifle from a saddle scabbard. It was a violation of the law for carrying firearms within one-half mile of a polling place by anyone except lawmen.
The two men were employed by a wealthy rancher who believed Sheriff Elder had assisted in the killing of his son some 20 months earlier. The two immediately began shooting at Sheriff Elder. The sheriff drew his pistol and attempted to fire, but his pistol misfired. Another son of the rancher approached the sheriff from behind and fired a shot into the back of his head. Sheriff Elder fell to the ground dead.
Deputy Bud Elder was then fired on by the two men and seriously wounded but was able to wound the rancher. An unknown person then walked up to Deputy Elder and shot him in the head, killing him instantly.
Deputy Jack Bailey realized the bad tactical situation he was in and ran for the cover in a yard near the store with his pistol in his hand. As Deputy Bailey was in the yard, someone shot him and he fell. As Deputy Bailey was laying face up on the ground, he was then shot two more times. It later was determined that Deputy Bailey had never fired his gun. He had been shot in the right leg, and his knee was shattered, so doctors had to amputate his leg. He died from his wounds the following day.
Deputy Bailey was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Bailey was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-VCCC-51M1-Gearlier record number BO-US-TX-B4D739BE- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Bailey served with the Karnes County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Karnes City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Karnes County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
John is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1886, 3 officers at Karnes County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1886, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 29. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Karnes County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 34.5; the middle age was 29.
John was 29. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 29. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 29. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 42.9% of these deaths at Karnes County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Karnes County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Karnes County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Karnes County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
