Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Basil Stakes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two murder suspects on 10th Street between Cypress and Orange Streets in Orange.
Two meat markets were having a business feud over territory. A confrontation occurred where two employees were shot and killed by two employees of the rival company. Deputy Stakes, another deputy, and a deputized citizen attempted to apprehend the two suspects. The two men resisted arrest. One of the suspects had a pistol, and the other suspect had a rifle. Deputy Stakes took a gun away from one of the men and was using it to subdue them when it either accidentally discharged or one of the men shot him with a .38 caliber revolver. Deputy Stakes was shot in the face just under his left eye, and he died at the scene.
The Grand Jury met two days later and indicted both men. The two men were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death several days later for killing the two business rivals. Both men appealed. In a second trial, one was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of Deputy Stakes, but the case was reversed and remanded in 1926. He died in prison during his appeals on March 1, 1926. The other suspect's death sentence was also reversed and remanded. On March 18, 1927, he was convicted a second time and sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled on March 22, 1934.
Deputy Stakes was a United States Army veteran.
He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Orange, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, eight brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-C8C13785- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Basil. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Stakes served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Orange 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
Basil S. Stakes served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Basil S. Stakes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Orange County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Basil S. Stakes's cause is highlighted.
How Basil S. Stakes Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years; 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Basil S. Stakes is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Basil S. Stakes was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Orange County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
