Roll of Honor
Incident
On the morning of December 12, 1917, the body of M. E. "Mote" Witt, the night watchman for Lorena, was found on the Katy Railroad track near the city. The head was severed from the trunk and the lower limbs had also been severed from the body, the trunk being badly mangled. A strap attached to his watchman’s clock, and a belt worn by Witt to which his pistol scabbard was fastened, were found not far from the track. The strap and belt was cut in two with a knife. Witt’s pistol was not found. The body had two knife wounds in the left side of his neck.
Lawmen discovered that a pane of glass in the backdoor of the general merchandise store had been removed, and it was supposed that the night watchman had come upon the intruders and was stabbed to death. His body was laid across the railroad tracks in an effort to hide evidence of the crime.
Witt had been employed as the night watchman for two months. He was survived by his wife, six children and several brothers and sisters. He was buried in the Lorena Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six children and several brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-149DDE8E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Night Watchman Witt served with the Lorena Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lorena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Witt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman M. E. Witt 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 Lorena Police Department, 1 of 2 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. M. E. Witt's cause is highlighted.
How M. E. Witt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. M. E. Witt is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. M. E. Witt was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lorena Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
