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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert L. Broaddus, along with two guards assisting him, Bud McGary and Tom Lemans, was transporting prisoner George Wilson from Collin County to Montague County. Wilson was to stand trial on misdemeanor charges. The four men were camped along Bolivar Creek in Denton County. The two guards were preparing breakfast when Wilson grabbed Bud McGary's pistol, then shot and instantly killed Deputy Sheriff Broaddus. Wilson disarmed the other guard, then stole Deputy Broaddus' horse and escaped.
News accounts reported the two guards testified at a court of inquest that after Wilson killed Broaddus, Wilson offered to buy a saddle from one of them for twenty dollars. They refused, but did sell Wilson a pistol for ten dollars, and gave him a blanket so he wouldn't have to ride bareback.
The Texas Governor offered a $500.00 reward on June 2, 1877. In November of 1877 he offered a $750.00 reward. It was noted that George Wilson was wounded and in custody of the sheriff in Yavapai County, Arizona. No records exist to show the outcome of the murder trial for George Wilson.
No family information was found, other than Robert L. Broaddus was survived by a brother. Broaddus is buried in Section 2-H, of the Montague City Cemetery, Montague, Texas. His grave is surrounded by a historic metal fence.
Survivors
Broaddus was survived by a brother.
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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Broaddus served with the Montague County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Montague community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robert is the only officer of Montague County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Robert is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1876, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 38. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Robert was 38. 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.
Robert was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Montague County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Montague County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.