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Incident
City Marshal Joe Crixell was shot and killed by a Cameron County sheriff's deputy in retaliation of a grudge the men held.
In the early 1900s, the political and racial situation in Cameron County, and in the county seat of Brownsville, was volatile. The Democrats (Blues) controlled the county offices and were predominately white, and the Independents (Reds) controlled the Brownsville municipal offices and were predominately Hispanic.
At about 9:45 p.m., City Marshal Joe Crixell had finished his rounds of the city on horseback and had returned downtown to Elizabeth Street, between 12th and 13th Streets. He tied his horse outside a saloon owned by his brother. The sheriff's deputy, who was a former Texas Ranger, was seated in a chair a short distance away in front of the Club Saloon. As Marshal Crixell approached on the sidewalk, and when he was within five feet of the deputy, the man shot him six times with a .45 caliber automatic pistol.
Marshal Crixell died within 10 minutes without speaking. His pistol was still in its holster and had not been fired, and no words were exchanged between the men. Two Texas Rangers were nearby and arrested the deputy. The man was held without bail, but he gained a change of venue to Hallettsville in Lavaca County. He was acquitted of murder on November 11th, 1913, based on a self-defense argument that Marshal Crixell had previously threatened him. He remained a deputy sheriff until 1915 when he became a deputy sheriff in Duval County and then went on to become a deputy state game warden. On July 5th, 1925, he was involved in a shooting that resulted in his death, and that of Nueces County Precinct 1 Constable Carl M. Bisbee and Deputy Constable R.R. Bledsoe.
Marshal Crixell was survived by his wife and four children, three brothers, one sister, and his mother. He was buried in the Brownsville City Cemetery.
Survivors
Marshal Crixell was survived by his wife and four children, three brothers, one sister, and his mother.
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.
City Marshal Crixell gave the Brownsville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brownsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Crixell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brownsville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1912, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 41. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joseph was 41. 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. Joseph had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Brownsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.3% 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; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Brownsville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Brownsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.