Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman Harry Floyd Hooker was shot and killed by a robbery suspect.
Policeman Hooker had been notified that a drunk man had been robbed by a stranger who had started out of town by way of the Cotton Belt Railroad track. Officer Hooker boarded a freight train that was "doubling" the hill north of town and sighted a man standing by the track for the train to pass. The train was stopped, Policeman Hooker walked back to the man, and the trainmen heard him ask the stranger to let him see what he had in a bundle he was carrying. The man shot Policeman Hooker once in the left breast and fled.
When the trainmen reached Officer Hooker, he was lying in the center of the track and was dying. Hooker reportedly said, "He got me," before he died. Hooker's pistol was lying on the track by his body, showing that he had seen the stranger draw his gun and had attempted to shoot, but it was too late.
A search by the sheriff and a posse could not locate the killer. No one was ever arrested or prosecuted for the crime. Oral family history reported that the suspect was shot and killed near Houston a year later and confessed to the slaying of Hooker before dying.
Policeman Hooker had served with the Jacksonville Police Department for six months. He was survived by a wife and two sons. Jacksonville citizens donated $250 to the widow.
Survivors
He was survived by a wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-220AC9FF- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harry. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Policeman Hooker served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Hooker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman Harry Floyd Hooker 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 Jacksonville Police Dept., 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. Harry Floyd Hooker's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Floyd Hooker Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Floyd Hooker is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Floyd Hooker was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jacksonville Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
