Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Sam Tate was shot and killed by a Gonzales County sheriff's deputy who was under the influence of alcohol.
Watchman Tate was making his rounds in the downtown business district and had entered an alley behind a store. As he checked the alley the deputy suddenly yelled "stick 'em up" and then opened fire. As Watchman Tate fell to the ground he drew his weapon and returned fire, mortally wounding the deputy.
Both men made statements before dying. The deputy claimed that he had surprised burglars, who had shot Watchman Tate. Watchman Tate stated that the deputy was drunk, grabbed his hand, and then shot him.
Watchman Tate died shortly after midnight.
Watchman Tate had served with the Gonzales Police Department in several capacities for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-366545B6- 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.
Night Watchman Tate served with the Gonzales Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gonzales community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Tate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman John Samuel Tate, Sr. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Samuel Tate, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Samuel Tate, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Samuel Tate, Sr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Samuel Tate, Sr. was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.