John Davidson
Agency patch
Detective

John Davidson

Houston Police Department — Houston, TX
Felonious
End of Watch February 19, 1921
Age 34
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 40 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Davidson was shot and killed after responding with his partner to a report of a prowler in the 3400 block of Liberty Road. When the suspect saw the detectives approached his position he dropped his gun and started walking. When Detective Davison and his partner attempted to stop the suspect he ran, picked up his gun and shot and killed Detective Davidson. Detective Davidson's partner returned fire killing the suspect.

Survivors

Detective Davidson had served with the Houston Police Department for three years and was survived by his wife, parents and sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-96BEBDAA
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Davidson gave the Houston Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Davidson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Houston, Harris County, TX
Platform Identity hpd.harris.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 19, 1921
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Detective John Davidson 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.

Houston Police Department
84
of 117 officers
71.8% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,461
of 2,422 officers
60.3% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Davidson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How John Davidson Compares

Age at Death
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Davidson is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Davidson was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location