Rempsey H. Sullivan
Agency patch
Detective

Rempsey H. Sullivan

Houston Police Department — Houston, TX
Felonious
End of Watch March 9, 1935
Age 34
The Vigil Panel 69 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Rempsey Sullivan was shot and killed after identifying himself as a police officer at the scene of an assault. Detective Sullivan, the mayor's driver, was on his way home from the mayor's home when he stopped at a shoe repair shop at 1917 Dowling Street (modern-day Emancipation Avenue) to drop off a friend. The friend went inside but was assaulted by the store employee and pushed outside. Detective Sullivan entered the store, identified himself as an officer, and was shot by the store employee. The store employee then held rescue workers at bay before eventually giving himself up. The subject was sentenced to life in prison but was paroled in 1960.

Survivors

Detective Sullivan was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-84808D60
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.
Detective Sullivan served with the Houston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sullivan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Houston, TX
Platform Identity hpd.harris.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 9, 1935
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Apprehended

Detective Rempsey H. Sullivan 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.

Houston Police Department
84
of 117 officers
71.8% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rempsey H. Sullivan's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Rempsey H. Sullivan Compares

Age at End of Watch
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rempsey H. Sullivan is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rempsey H. Sullivan was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location