Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Trapolino was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to serve a lunacy warrant in the 1200 block of Pease Street. When the deputies arrived at the home they encountered the subject who was armed with a shotgun. Deputy Trapolino attempted to persuade the man to put the gun down by telling him they were only going to take him to a doctor. The man continued to threaten them as the deputies walked down the driveway. As the deputies drew their weapons and took cover the man shot Deputy Trapolino in the back. The subject was arrested a short time later. The man was committed at the Austin State Mental Hospital where he died on October 24, 1937. Deputy Trapolino was a WWI veteran and had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Trapolino gave the Harris County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joe Trapolino served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Joe Trapolino is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.4 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Harris County Sheriff's Office, 23 of 56 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Trapolino's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Trapolino Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Trapolino is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe Trapolino was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Joe Trapolino served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joe Trapolino’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
55 officers from Harris County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
