Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard McCoy was shot and killed in LaSalle County while searching for cattle thieves.
Deputy McCoy was riding with several Texas Rangers and cattlemen when they discovered approximately 100 stolen cattle.
The group rounded up the cattle and took them to a nearby home to temporarily store them. Unbeknownst to the deputy, the home was owned by a notorious cattle thief. As Deputy McCoy asked the man's wife if he could pen the cattle there, the man and his friends setup an ambush. They opened fire on Deputy McCoy as he opened the corral gate, killing him.
The property owner and one of his friends were charged with Deputy McCoy's murder. Because the informant was a known horse thief his testimony was not enough to convict the suspects and the charges were dropped. One of the men later murdered Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Pool, of the Milam County Sheriff's Office, on April 7th, 1887.
Deputy McCoy was a veteran of the Confederate Army. He had previously served as a Texas Ranger for one year.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpyz2z1yev9rdx6n5ar0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Richard 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 McCoy served with the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Seguin 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
Richard McCoy served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Guadalupe 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 1881, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 51. 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 51. 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 51. 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%. Mondays: 13.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% 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; unknown type, in 10.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Military Service
Richard McCoy served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard McCoy’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 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.