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Incident
Constable John Agnew succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while responding to a disturbance at a home approximately 1/2 mile outside of Bonham shortly after 10:00 pm.
The disturbance involved the wife of a man who was living with another man in a boarding house. The husband went to the boarding house and was removing his wife's furniture.
Constable Agnew had a warrant for the husband and went to the boarding house to arrest him. When he arrived at the location he observed the other man standing outside holding a gun. As he approached, the man fired at him, striking him in the arm, causing his bone to shatter. Despite the wound, Constable Agnew arrested the man and placed him in jail before summoning a doctor.
The doctor was forced to amputate Constable Agnew's arm due to the extensive damage. Constable Agnew was unable to withstand the shock of the surgery and died the following day.
The man who shot him was charged with murder but he outcome of the case is not known.
Constable Agnew was elected as constable of Fannin County Precinct 1 in November 1884.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Agnew gave the Fannin County Constable's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bonham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1886, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 36. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 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 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.
