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Reuben Caywood
Incident
Auxiliary Officer Caywood was killed during a vehicle pursuit when the car he was riding in was run off of a dirt road at approximately 2300 hours. He and the police chief were watching a local convenience store that had been burglarized the previous week when they observed a car pull in behind it. Officer Caywood and the chief, who were in the chief's personal car, went to investigate. When the driver of the other vehicle saw the officers he fled.
The officers pursued the suspects out of town and down a dirt road. As the chief attempted to overtake the car on the dirt road the driver of the other vehicle rammed the car, causing it to flip over. Auxiliary Officer Caywood was thrown from the car and pinned underneath it. The chief, although injured, was able to walk to a farmhouse one mile away and call for help. Officer Caywood had died by the time help arrived. The juvenile suspects were apprehended by highway patrol officers later in the morning.
Auxiliary Officer Caywood was a WWII veteran and also served as a member of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years.
Auxiliary Officer Caywood was a WWII veteran and also served as a member of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, six brothers and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Auxiliary Police Officer Caywood served with the Rockdale Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rockdale community. Thank you 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
Reuben Caywood served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Reuben is the only officer of Rockdale Police Department remembered here.
Reuben is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 6 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Reuben was 51. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Reuben was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Reuben was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rockdale Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Military Service
Reuben Caywood served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Reuben Caywood’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 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Rockdale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.