Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Lamkin succumbed to gunshot wounds received two weeks earlier when he came upon a burglary in progress while on patrol. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking him several times. The suspect also struck him with his vehicle as he fled.
The suspect was sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering Deputy Lamkin. On June 19, 1936, he and another inmate murdered Guard Felix Smith as they escaped from prison. They were both recaptured and the suspect was sentenced to death for murdering the prison guard. He was executed in the electric chair on August 20, 1937. The second inmate was sentenced to 60 years for murdering Guard Smith.
Deputy Lamkin was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Lamkin was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-E9E07BF1- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Lamkin served with the Nolan County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sweetwater community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lamkin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John H. Lamkin 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 Nolan County Sheriff's Department, 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 H. Lamkin's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Lamkin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Lamkin is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Lamkin was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nolan County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
