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Incident
Sheriff Sproul was shot and killed while he and two other officer attempted to arrest three youths who had just looted the ranch of a fellow Sheriff. When the three officers surrounded the youth the 19-year-old suspect shot Sheriff Sproul with a rifle he had stolen. When arrested the suspect stated he thought he was shooting a cow.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to seven years. He was released on October 13, 1936.
Sheriff Sproul had been with the agency for 18 years and was survived by his wife and young son.
Sheriff Sproul was shot and killed while he and two other officer attempted to arrest three youths who had just looted the ranch of a fellow Sheriff. When the three officers surrounded the youth the 19-year-old suspect shot Sheriff Sproul with a rifle he had stolen. When arrested the suspect stated he thought he was shooting a cow.
Survivors
Sheriff Sproul had been with the agency for 18 years and was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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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.
Sheriff Sproul gave the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Davis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sproul.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Franklin is the only officer of Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Franklin is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Franklin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Franklin was 48. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Franklin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Franklin was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Franklin was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Franklin had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
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