Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Joe Crixell was shot and killed by a Cameron County sheriff's deputy in retaliation of a grudge the men held.
In the early 1900s, the political and racial situation in Cameron County, and in the county seat of Brownsville, was volatile. The Democrats (Blues) controlled the county offices and were predominately white, and the Independents (Reds) controlled the Brownsville municipal offices and were predominately Hispanic.
At about 9:45 p.m., City Marshal Joe Crixell had finished his rounds of the city on horseback and had returned downtown to Elizabeth Street, between 12th and 13th Streets. He tied his horse outside a saloon owned by his brother. The sheriff's deputy, who was a former Texas Ranger, was seated in a chair a short distance away in front of the Club Saloon. As Marshal Crixell approached on the sidewalk, and when he was within five feet of the deputy, the man shot him six times with a .45 caliber automatic pistol.
Marshal Crixell died within 10 minutes without speaking. His pistol was still in its holster and had not been fired, and no words were exchanged between the men. Two Texas Rangers were nearby and arrested the deputy. The man was held without bail, but he gained a change of venue to Hallettsville in Lavaca County. He was acquitted of murder on November 11th, 1913, based on a self-defense argument that Marshal Crixell had previously threatened him. He remained a deputy sheriff until 1915 when he became a deputy sheriff in Duval County and then went on to become a deputy state game warden. On July 5th, 1925, he was involved in a shooting that resulted in his death, and that of Nueces County Precinct 1 Constable Carl M. Bisbee and Deputy Constable R.R. Bledsoe.
Marshal Crixell was survived by his wife and four children, three brothers, one sister, and his mother. He was buried in the Brownsville City Cemetery.
Survivors
Marshal Crixell was survived by his wife and four children, three brothers, one sister, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-AD429BFF- Stewardship
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- 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.
City Marshal Crixell gave the Brownsville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brownsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Crixell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Joseph L. Crixell 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 Brownsville Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Joseph L. Crixell's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph L. Crixell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph L. Crixell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph L. Crixell was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Brownsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
