Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Paul Habelt and Deputy Sheriff Tony Ogburn were shot and killed after responding to a domestic violence call.
Deputies Habelt, Ogburn, and Kevin Harris responded to a domestic disturbance call in Payne Springs. When they arrived, the suspect opened fire on them with a high-powered rifle. Deputies Habelt and Ogburn were killed, and Harris was wounded.
The suspect was shot and wounded by responding officers. The suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death.
Deputy Habelt had served in law enforcement for 43 years. He had previously served with the Oakland Police Department and South Lake Tahoe Police Department before moving to Texas, where he served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department for 13 years.
He was buried in the Goshen Cemetery in Henderson County.
Deputy Habelt had served in law enforcement for 43 years. He had previously served with the Oakland Police Department and South Lake Tahoe Police Department before moving to Texas, where he served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six children, other relatives, and a host of friends and co-workers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-105F41A6- 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
43 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Habelt gave the Henderson County Sheriff's Office 43 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Habelt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Paul Steven Habelt 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 Henderson County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 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. Paul Steven Habelt's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Steven Habelt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Steven Habelt is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Steven Habelt was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Henderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
