Incident
Deputy Goode was shot and killed during an escape at the Galveston County Jail. He was removing an inmate from his cell when the inmate produced a semi-automatic pistol which had been smuggled to him by a friend. The man ordered Deputy Goode to release two other inmates. After Deputy Goode complied, the inmate shot him in the chest as he pleaded for his life. As they attempted to flee they were confronted by the Chief Jailer, who was beaten severely by the men with a iron pipe. One suspect, 28, was apprehended in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 7, 1938. Another, 34, was apprehended in Des Moines, Iowa, in late August, 1938, in connection with a robbery committed there. The third suspect, 27, and the triggerman, was apprehended in Tacoma, Washington, on October 15, 1938. He refused to say who gave him the pistol. On November 9, 1938, the suspect, 28, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. A week later the suspect, 34, was sentenced to 50 years. On November 23, 1938, the third suspect was sentenced to life. It was his mother that smuggled the pistol to him. On December 2, 1942, he escaped from the Retrieve Prison Farm in Angleton. On February, 24, 1943, he surrendered himself to authorities in Houston. He was paroled on March 15, 1956.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Goode served with the Galveston County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Goode.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1938, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 43. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Ernest was 43. 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.
Ernest was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Galveston County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% 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.
His people
Galveston County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Galveston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

