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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Cave succumbed to a gunshot wound he received while trying to arrest a soldier at a saloon outside Fort Clark in Bracketville.
The soldier returned to the saloon with a rifle on a mission to retaliate against a subject he had fought with earlier in the evening. When he fired his rifle outside of the saloon, Deputy Cave arrived on the scene. Deputy Cave asked the subject to put down his weapon, but the subject shot him in the left arm. The bullet traveled through his abdomen and exited his back.
The subject was arrested but escaped prison two weeks later. No additional details were found on the suspect.
Deputy Cave was a Texas Ranger veteran.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Cave served with the Kinney County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Brackettville 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
John Cave served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kinney County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1878, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1878, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1878, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Kinney County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 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 27,552 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 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Kinney County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Military Service
John Cave served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Cave’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kinney County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
