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Incident
Posseman Ed Smith was shot and killed while assisting a sheriff's deputy in an attempt to arrest a man for carrying a pistol in Columbia.
Upon learning that the man was armed, the deputy formed a posse to arrest him, including county attorney Ed Smith. As they attempted to arrest the man one of his friends opened fire, striking the deputy in the wrist and Posseman Smith in the chest.
Posseman Smith succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
Both men fled but were apprehended and returned to the county jail. On the night of January 14th, 1903, an angry mob of citizens stormed the county jail and fatally shot both prisoners.
Posseman Smith was survived by his mother and several siblings.
Survivors
Posseman Smith was survived by his mother and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Posseman Smith served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Angleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Posseman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward 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 1902, 1 officer at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1909, with 2.
In 1902, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 27. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 39.5; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 0 years.
Edward was 27. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Edward had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Edward was 27. 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. Edward had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 25% of these deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 37.5%. Sundays: 12.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 10.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Edward C. Smith Aug 10, 1902
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Hillen Armour Munson
Sep 15, 1909
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Tom Pye Sep 23, 1909
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Joe Hughes Snow
Sep 15, 1920
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James William Cook Aug 26, 1925
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Joseph Arthur Harnest
Dec 14, 1937
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John Wesley McKinney Oct 22, 1940
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James Carol Douglas
May 15, 1973
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Patrick Elton Roberts, Jr. Aug 17, 1990
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Jason Alexander Oliff
Dec 5, 2005
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Charles Allen VanMeter
Jun 26, 2011
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Jesus Vargas
Jan 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Brazoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
