Roll of Honor
Incident
Several young men, including Constable James E. Eubanks, decided to play a prank on City Marshal Tom Nowlin. The men succeeded in putting blank cartridges in his pistol. They went to Freedmantown and raised a racket. Marshal Nowlin went to quiet the disturbance. The men opened fire with blank cartridges and Nowlin returned fire not knowing he was also firing blanks. Constable Eubanks pretended to be wounded. Nowlin believed he was outgunned and returned to town to get another pistol and was returning to the scene when he was told it was a joke. The pranksters had retired to the depot when Nowlin arrived. He told Eubanks he would cut off his arm before he would play such a prank on a friend. Eubanks drew his pistol and fired two shots that killed Nowlin. Witnesses said they saw Nowlin draw his pistol as Eubanks fired.
Eubanks was arrested and released on $5,000 bail. The city council met and declared that Nowlin was killed in the discharge of his duties and voted to hire an attorney to assist the district attorney. The disposition of the charges is unknown at this time.
Nowlin was a widower and had five small children. He was also a member of the city fire department. He is buried in the Mexia City Cemetery.
Several young men, including Constable James E. Eubanks, decided to play a prank on City Marshal Tom Nowlin. The men succeeded in putting blank cartridges in his pistol. They went to Freedmantown and raised a racket. Marshal Nowlin went to quiet the disturbance. The men opened fire with blank cartridges and Nowlin returned fire not knowing he was also firing blanks. Constable Eubanks pretended to be wounded. Nowlin believed he was outgunned and returned to town to get another pistol and was returning to the scene when he was told it was a joke. The pranksters had retired to the depot when Nowlin arrived. He told Eubanks he would cut off his arm before he would play such a prank on a friend. Eubanks drew his pistol and fired two shots that killed Nowlin. Witnesses said they saw Nowlin draw his pistol as Eubanks fired.
Nowlin was a widower and had five small children. He was also a member of the city fire department. He is buried in the Mexia City Cemetery.
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Nowlin served with the Mexia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mexia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal David Thomas "Tom" Nowlin 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 Mexia Police Department, 2 of 4 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. David Thomas "Tom" Nowlin's cause is highlighted.
How David Thomas "Tom" Nowlin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Thomas "Tom" Nowlin is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mexia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
