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Incident
Sheriff Pauley was shot and killed after being called to the railroad yard to assist in apprehending two men who were riding on top of a freight car. The men had boarded the train at Brownwood, Texas, and refused the conductor's order to leave. When the train stopped in Santa Anna the conductor telegraphed ahead to Coleman to ask for the sheriff to meet him when the train arrived. As Sheriff Pauley climbed the ladder he was shot by one of the suspects. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspects were later captured by a posse of over 1000 men. On June 3, 1925, Sheriff Pauley's killer, 23, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On April 16, 1926, he went to his death in the electric chair.
Survivors
Sheriff Pauley was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Pauley served with the Coleman County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Coleman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pauley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Coleman County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard 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
Richard was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Richard was 45. 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.
Richard was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Coleman County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Coleman County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coleman County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.