Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Charles Stephens was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to arrest a man wanted for murdering Officer T.A. Tedford, of the Dallas Police Department, four days earlier. The suspect had fled to his mother-in-law's home in Clarksville, where he had previously lived, after murdering Officer Tedford. When Sheriff Stephens learned of his location he went to the residence at approximately 10:00 pm, accompanied by the city marshal and a county constable. As the three approached the home they encountered several people sitting on the front porch. They split up as they walked towards the house. As they told the people on the porch to not move the man who had murdered Officer Tedford opened fire, striking Sheriff Stephens in the chest three times. Sheriff Stephens and the other officers returned fire, fatally wounding one of the people on the porch. Sheriff Stephens then collapsed and died. A civilian was also fatally shot during the shootout. The subject escaped into the river bottoms, but was located five days later by a posse. He was shot and killed when he resisted the posse's attempt to arrest him. At the time of his death Sheriff Stephens had been married for only six months. They are both buried in the Old Shamrock Cemetery, rural Red River County, Texas
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-A87FC2DC- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Stephens served with the Red River County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clarksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Charles Stephens 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 Red River County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. Charles Stephens's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Stephens Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Stephens is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Stephens was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Red River County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
