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Incident
Chief Echols was shot and killed while making his normal rounds in the business district. He came across three men who were preparing to rob a bank and they shot him.
All three suspects were apprehended. Two were convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. On August 7, 1931, one was shot and killed when he attempted to escape from Eastham Prison Farm. The other suspect was pardoned by Governor Coke R. Stevenson on February 2, 1944.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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46 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Echols gave the Van Alstyne Police Department 46 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Van Alstyne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Echols.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
W. is the only officer of Van Alstyne Police Department remembered here.
W. is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. 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 1929, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 67. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. W. had served 46 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
W. was 67. 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. W. had served 46 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
W. was 67. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. W. had served 46 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Van Alstyne Police Department.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
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