Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Hank Hamilton was shot and killed while he and a deputy questioned a man near Marfa in a parked car at the request of U.S. Border Patrol agents in a spotter plane at 4 pm. During the questioning, the suspect suddenly opened fire, shooting Sheriff Hamilton five times and the deputy once. The suspect fled but was arrested by Border Patrol agents a short distance away. The man, 51, was charged with capital murder. No one could understand why the man started shooting. The Border Patrol agents just wanted to make sure he was not up to something that was illegal. No motive was determined. On Jun 13, 1973, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Sheriff Hamilton was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served as the Sheriff of Presidio County Sheriff's Department for only three months and had previously served with the El Paso Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4C060129- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ernest. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Ernest is one person.
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.
Sheriff Hamilton gave the Presidio County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marfa community, and 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
Ernest Daniel Hamilton served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Ernest Daniel Hamilton 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 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 Presidio County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 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. Ernest Daniel Hamilton's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest Daniel Hamilton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest Daniel Hamilton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest Daniel Hamilton was killed by handgun.
Military Service
Ernest Daniel Hamilton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest Daniel Hamilton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Presidio County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
