Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff J.F. Holmes was shot and killed in Trinity while attempting to arrest a man wanted in several counties for murder and stealing horses.
The subject shot the unarmed Sheriff Holmes in the head, causing a fatal wound. Sheriff Holmes succumbed to the wound 15 days later.
The man who shot him was arrested by a posse in Polk County. The outcome of the trial is not known.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-EC9FF479- 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
149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Holmes served with the Trinity County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Groveton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff J. F. Holmes 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 Trinity County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. F. Holmes's cause is highlighted.
How J. F. Holmes Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. F. Holmes is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. F. Holmes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Trinity County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
