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Incident
Sheriff Brunt was shot and killed after stopping a car he suspected of transporting beer through the county. As he approached the car the male driver opened fire, striking him in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Sheriff Brunt was able to return fire, killing the driver and wounding the female passenger.
Survivors
Sheriff Brunt had been with the agency for 20 months and was survived by his wife, who was appointed to complete his term in office.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Sheriff Brunt gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Rusk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Brunt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Bill is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Bill is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bill 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 1939, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bill was 28. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Bill had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Bill was 28. 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. Bill had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bill was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bill had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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, in 14.2% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Bill among them.
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
