Roll of Honor
Incident
Private Eugene Hulen and Customs Agent Joe Sitter of the United States Customs Service were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a gang who had previously attacked him and murdered Inspector Jack Howard.
In 1912 Agent Sitter had arrested Francisco "Chico" Cano and members of his gang for horse and mule stealing. On February 10th, 1913, Agent Sitter, Inspector Jack Howard, and a brand inspector again arrested Cano. As they transported him through the rugged mountains in Pilares Canyon, the man's brothers and friends ambushed the three lawmen. Inspector Howard was killed, while Agent Sitter and the brand inspector were wounded.
On May 24th, 1915, Agent Sitter gathered a posse that included a fellow United States Customs Service inspector, along with three Texas Rangers, to capture Cano and his gang. When the posse arrived at Pilares Canyon, they could see some stolen horses in the canyon. A disagreement arose amongst the lawmen as to whether it was an ambush. Agent Sitter decided to split the group and enter the canyon. One of the groups started up one side of the canyon when they came under heavy fire and retreated. They could see Agent Sitter and Private Hulen pinned down across the canyon and tried five times unsuccessfully to reach them.
The three officers walked four miles to a ranch and summoned help. The next day a posse arrived and found Agent Sitter and Private Hulen stripped naked, shot scores of times, and their faces unrecognizable from having been beaten with large stones.
Agent Sitter was buried in the Valentine Cemetery in Jeff Davis County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and at least six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-095FD47F- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Private Hulen served with the Texas Rangers.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Hulen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private Eugene B. Hulen 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 Texas Rangers, 104 of 122 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eugene B. Hulen's cause is highlighted.
How Eugene B. Hulen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eugene B. Hulen is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eugene B. Hulen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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