Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Olive was shot and killed by two brothers while he was walking on a train platform in Echo, Bell County, Texas. He and a friend were returning to Williamson County after attending the Belton Fair. They were waiting for the train at 2:00 am when one of the brothers shot him from ambush. He was able to return fire but did not strike the man. The bothers shot him because Sheriff Olive had killed two of their brothers in a shootout 12 years prior. Both were apprehended and charged with Sheriff Olive's murder. One of the brothers was tried and acquitted in 1893. The charges against the other brother were dismissed but he was re-indicted in 1914. The case did not go to trial until 1923. Texas Governor J. E. Ferguson and Secretary of State John McKay testified on behalf of the defendant and the jury found him not guilty. Sheriff Olive had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office for two years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-D089BAB3- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Olive gave the Williamson County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Georgetown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John Thomas Olive 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 Williamson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 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 Thomas Olive's cause is highlighted.
How John Thomas Olive Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Thomas Olive is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Thomas Olive was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Williamson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
