Roll of Honor
John Henry Heard
Incident
Mounted Inspectors John Henry Heard and another inspector who was stationed in El Paso, Texas, drove to the Tom Boles Ranch about 60 miles south of Hatchita, New Mexico, to speak to the ranch owner about the illegal crossing of horses and cattle from Mexico. A cowhand who had spent the night at the ranch house approached them with an automatic rifle as they stepped from their car. The ranch's owner was standing in the yard as the cowhand asked "What are you doing here?" Before Inspector Heard could reply, the man shot him four times. Three bullets struck him in the chest and one bullet struck him in the side of his jaw. Inspector Heard fired twice at the man before collapsing, but neither bullet hit his assailant. The cowhand ran into the house where the owner's wife and other women were working and then dared the other inspector to fire at him. The ranch owner and the other inspector took Inspector Heard to Hachita and placed him on the eastbound passenger train to El Paso. Inspector Heard died that night at the hospital in El Paso. Three posses were organized to search for the assailant who fled to Mexico. The disposition of the case against is not known. Inspector Heard's body was shipped to his hometown of Pecos, Reeves County, Texas, for burial. The newspaper reported that had had served in the United States Customs Service for 10 years and had been stationed in El Paso for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-1B0BB082- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Heard gave the United States Department of the Treasury 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Heard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector John Henry Heard 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Henry Heard's cause is highlighted.
How John Henry Heard Compares
Offender Outcome
Fled to Mexico
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Henry Heard is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Henry Heard was killed by rifle; automatic.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
