Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rayburn Shipp was shot and killed with his own service weapon while he and a state trooper transported three prisoners from the Hunt County Jail to the diagnostic unit in Huntsville. When they arrived at the diagnostic unit, one of the prisoners reached between the front seats and grabbed Deputy Shipp's service revolver. The prisoner then shot Deputy Shipp in the head and shot the trooper in the eye. The trooper returned fire as he exited his patrol car. After reloading his service weapon he held all three prisoners at gunpoint until backup officers arrived. Two prisoners, both 18, were charged with murder. The prisoner who murdered Deputy Shipp was charged with assault with intent to murder and attempted escape, and sentenced to 25 years and 15 years, respectively. Deputy Shipp was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Hunt County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpr3z48fcvzer15a30kn- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rayburn. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Rayburn is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Shipp gave the Hunt County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Rayburn L. Shipp served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hunt County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Rayburn is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Rayburn is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rayburn 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 1972, 1 officer at Hunt County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rayburn was 61. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Hunt County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 43.8; the middle age was 37.5. Rayburn had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Rayburn was 61. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Rayburn had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Rayburn was 61. 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. Rayburn had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rayburn was 61. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rayburn had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at Hunt County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Hunt County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Hunt County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Rayburn among them.
Military Service
Rayburn L. Shipp served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Rayburn L. Shipp’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hunt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
