Roll of Honor
Incident
The Texas State Police were formed during the administration of Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis on July 22, 1870, to combat crime statewide in Texas. It was dissolved on April 22, 1873. Late in the evening Ben Yoast had a difficulty with a freed man in Bastrop. His intoxicated father, Frank Yoast, rode up, and drawing his pistol, demanded a fair fight, and threatened to shoot anyone who interfered. Two citizens intervened and separated Yoast’s son and the other man. Bastrop County Sheriff Jung and two Texas State policemen arrived and attempted to arrest Frank Yoast. Private August Werner and a citizen fired at Yoast. Yoast fired three shots, all that he had in his six-shooter, killing Werner, but only striking the clothes of Jung and the other policeman. Mrs. Halter, a lady subject to hemorrhage of the lungs, came out of a house nearby and becoming excited, fell on the steps and died of internal bleeding. One of Private Werner’s bullets struck and wounded a bystander. Frank Yoast fled the scene. Ben Yoast appeared in District Court in Bastrop, charged with two counts of carrying deadly weapons and assault to kill and murder. No records exist as to Frank Yoast ever being charged with the death of Private Werner.
The German born August Werner was a farmer before joining the state police. He was married and had children. He was commissioned as a private on November 12, 1870 in the 3rd District. He was transferred to the 4th District to work out of Bastrop. He had resigned on February 11, 1871 and was reinstated on August 7, only to be killed seven days later.
Pvt. Werner, On today, the 150th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol August 14th, 2021
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private Werner served with the Texas State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Texas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private August Werner is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Texas State Police, 10 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. August Werner's cause is highlighted.
How August Werner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. August Werner is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. August Werner was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Texas State Police are honored on badge.nw.
