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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joel Reed was shot and killed while confronting a subject who had murdered the former county sheriff during a personal dispute.
The former sheriff was engaged in a divorce proceeding and his killer was his brother-in-law. The former sheriff was walking down the street, in Knox City, when a car pulled over. The subject stepped from the car with a Winchester rifle in hand and shot him in the back.
After he fell, the man drew a handgun, stood over him, and and continued to fire. After firing several shots, Deputy Sheriff Joel Reed and the Knox City marshal ran to the scene and tried to apprehend the man. The man opened fire on the officers, striking Deputy Reed three times and killing him. The man escaped from the scene but was later captured.
The subject who murdered Deputy Reed was killed the following year in a Knox County courtroom by the former sheriff's brother. The judge in the case and a trial witness were also wounded.
Deputy Sheriff Reed is buried at Long Branch Cemetery in Carbon, Texas.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Reed served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Benjamin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joel is the only officer of Knox County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joel is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joel 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 1916, 8 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 34. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joel had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joel was 34. 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. Joel had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joel had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
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