Roll of Honor
George T. Hammonds
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Handgun Offender: Not available
Inspector William Hammonds and Inspector George Phelps were shot and killed in Brownsville, Texas, by a group of bandits that attacked the United States Customs House at the mouth of the Rio Grande River.
The bandits had crossed into the United States from Mexico and encountered the acting deputy collector in front of the Customs House. A struggle ensued in which the deputy collector was knocked unconscious. The subjects then entered the Customs House and, without speaking, opened fire on Inspector Phelps, killing him as he sat in a chair.
After raiding the Customs House the bandits went to a nearby home and attempted to lure out the homeowner, but were refused entry to the home. Inspector Phelps, who had heard the gunfire, as the bandits left. When he learned that the homeowner did not have any weapons he attempted to leave to obtain assistance, but the bandits ambushed him and shot him in both legs. He tried to crawl back to the house but was grabbed by the bandits and shot and stabbed repeatedly.
The groups of bandits fled back into Mexico while being chased by citizens.
Inspector Hammonds was 26 years old and left behind a wife and a child. He had written to his family and they were expected on the next steamer from New Orleans. Customs officers from the United States and Mexico attended the funeral. Both men were buried locally but the grave sites have not been located.
May your memory be a blessing for those who hold the line, their families, and all who remember you
CBPO/Chaplian A Aronson United States Customs and Border Protection December 18th, 2019
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Inspector Hammonds served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector George T. Hammonds 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George T. Hammonds's cause is highlighted.
How George T. Hammonds Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George T. Hammonds is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George T. Hammonds was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
