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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Basil Stakes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two murder suspects on 10th Street between Cypress and Orange Streets in Orange.
Two meat markets were having a business feud over territory. A confrontation occurred where two employees were shot and killed by two employees of the rival company. Deputy Stakes, another deputy, and a deputized citizen attempted to apprehend the two suspects. The two men resisted arrest. One of the suspects had a pistol, and the other suspect had a rifle. Deputy Stakes took a gun away from one of the men and was using it to subdue them when it either accidentally discharged or one of the men shot him with a .38 caliber revolver. Deputy Stakes was shot in the face just under his left eye, and he died at the scene.
The Grand Jury met two days later and indicted both men. The two men were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death several days later for killing the two business rivals. Both men appealed. In a second trial, one was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of Deputy Stakes, but the case was reversed and remanded in 1926. He died in prison during his appeals on March 1, 1926. The other suspect's death sentence was also reversed and remanded. On March 18, 1927, he was convicted a second time and sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled on March 22, 1934.
Deputy Stakes was a United States Army veteran.
He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Orange, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, eight brothers, and two sisters.
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. Basil 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 Stakes served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Orange community. Thank you 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
Basil S. Stakes served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orange County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Basil is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Basil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Basil 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 1925, 15 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Basil 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.
Basil was 29. 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.
Basil was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Orange County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Orange County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Basil among them.
Where
Military Service
Basil S. Stakes served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Basil S. Stakes’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Orange County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
