Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-16FA071B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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
Sheriff Bill Brunt 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 Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bill Brunt's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Brunt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Brunt is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Brunt was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
