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Incident
Former Sheriff A. L. Board was assassinated in 1913 by the brother of a man the sheriff and a deputy killed during a lawful arrest in 1901.
On August 18th, 1901, Arnold Bruce and another man were camped on Wagner Creek in Throckmorton County just over the county line from Baylor County. Bruce was acting irrational and several people went to Seymour in Baylor County for the sheriff. Sheriff Board and a deputy responded back to the area to investigate. The two men were standing while their horses drank from the creek. The lawmen ordered them to surrender and consider themselves under arrest. Bruce ran to a wagon and reached for a gun. Again, he was commanded to surrender, but ignoring the command, he started to raise his gun when the deputy shot and killed him.
On October 21st, 1913, the man's brother arrived in Seymour on the morning train. The man went to the second floor of the First National Bank, where former Sheriff A. L. Board worked selling real estate, and shot him six times, killing him instantly. The man ran down the steps and opened fire on Baylor County Sheriff W. L. Ellis. In the ensuing shootout, the subject was shot two times and killed and the sheriff was seriously wounded. Bruce had a letter on his body addressed to his wife and children to have the people of Seymour ship his body back to Ranger. Although the sheriff survived this shooting incident, on August 6th, 1916, he was shot and killed in the line of duty by a prisoner.
Sheriff Board was survived by his wife and two children. He was buried in the Seymour Cemetery in an unmarked grave. He had served as sheriff from 1884 through 1888 and again from 1900 through 1902.
Survivors
Sheriff Board was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Board gave the Baylor County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seymour community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Board.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Baylor County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Abner is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Abner is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abner is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abner was 65. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Abner was 65. 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. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abner was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abner had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Baylor County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Baylor County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Abner among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Baylor County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
