Egbert Ellison

United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch August 9, 1930

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 60 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 93

Incident

Inspector Bert Ellison was shot and killed in Hargill, Hidalgo County, Texas, after being ambushed by several men who were seeking retaliation as the result of a family member being deported to Mexico. The subject who organized the ambush was was upset over the deportation of his wife. The man, his brother, and two men decided to hide in the brush about 200 yards from a Mexican dance and kill the first officer they could capture. Mounted Inspector Ellison and other officers were in the vicinity of the dance for the purpose of ascertaining if any violations of law were being committed. Inspector Ellison and his partner separated, following different trails into the brush. Within a short time after they had separated some eight or more shots were heard. Inspector Ellison's partner called out to him but received no response. The other inspectors found Inspector Ellison's body with his pistol holster in his pocket, but his belt, flashlight, and pistol missing. Several empty .32 caliber shells were found near his body. A posse of lawmen located two of the men the next day, and in the ensuing gun battle, the ringleader was killed and his brother was captured. The two other men were also arrested. Two of the men were sentenced to death and executed on October 30th, 1931. The outcome of the trial against the third subject is not known. Inspector Ellison was a widower and survived by his 6-month-old son.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Ellison served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Ellison.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service

Type Federal Agency

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdtuscsfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 9, 1930

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Inspector Egbert Ellison is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.

In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 0.8 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.

At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service

of 94 officers

50% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,586 officers

53.9% Felonious