Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John Agnew succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while responding to a disturbance at a home approximately 1/2 mile outside of Bonham shortly after 10:00 pm.
The disturbance involved the wife of a man who was living with another man in a boarding house. The husband went to the boarding house and was removing his wife's furniture.
Constable Agnew had a warrant for the husband and went to the boarding house to arrest him. When he arrived at the location he observed the other man standing outside holding a gun. As he approached, the man fired at him, striking him in the arm, causing his bone to shatter. Despite the wound, Constable Agnew arrested the man and placed him in jail before summoning a doctor.
The doctor was forced to amputate Constable Agnew's arm due to the extensive damage. Constable Agnew was unable to withstand the shock of the surgery and died the following day.
The man who shot him was charged with murder but he outcome of the case is not known.
Constable Agnew was elected as constable of Fannin County Precinct 1 in November 1884.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) October 2nd, 2020
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Agnew gave the Fannin County Constable's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bonham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John R. Agnew 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, 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. John R. Agnew's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Agnew Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Agnew is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John R. Agnew was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.
