Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief George Bedford was shot and killed while he and Officer George Carmichael responded to a bank robbery call on December 23rd, 1927. The robbery was later dubbed the "Santa Claus Bank Robbery" because the robbers were dressed as Santa Claus. Six civilians were also shot and wounded during the shootout while assisting law enforcement officers. One of the suspects was shot and killed during the shootout. The other three were taken into custody. When one of them tried to escape he murdered Deputy Thomas Jones, of the Eastland County Sheriff's Department. After finding out about the escape attempt the towns-people came to the jail, overpowered the other guard, and lynched the suspect. The third suspect was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair on September 6, 1929. The fourth suspect was sentenced to 99 years but paroled in the 1940s. Chief Bedford was a career lawman and the former Eastland County Sheriff. He was laid to rest in the Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F697B771- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Bedford served with the Cisco Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Bedford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief George Emory Bedford 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 Cisco Police Department, 2 of 2 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. George Emory Bedford's cause is highlighted.
How George Emory Bedford Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1929
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Emory Bedford is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Emory Bedford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cisco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
