Roll of Honor
Incident
Several months earlier, Deputy Coleman had arrested Claud Rhodes for gambling or permitting gambling in his house. Rhodes had cursed the deputy and bad blood existed between the deputy and the Rhodes family. The sheriff had requested that Deputy Coleman maintain the peace on Election Day in the community of Waelder. Coleman was seen arresting at least one man and carrying him to jail. Ed Rhodes started questioning Coleman’s authority to make an arrest, and Coleman warned him that he would be arrested if he created a disturbance. Later Ed Rhodes did just that, and caused Deputy Coleman to order him again to be quiet or face arrest. Bill Rhodes, Claud’s father and Ed’s brother, started cursing Deputy Coleman and challenging his authority. Deputy Coleman drew his pistol and knocked Bill Rhodes to the ground. The family took Bill Rhodes into a store, and his son, Claud, furnished him with a pistol. Bill Rhodes charged the deputy and both men starting firing until their pistols were emptied, and then they struck each other with the empty weapons. Ed Rhodes then struck Deputy Coleman in the head with a billiard cue, and another brother named Yearby tried to stab the deputy. Coleman died the next day from two bullet wounds. Bill Rhodes lived another week and died from his wounds.
Claud, Yearby and Ed Rhodes were indicted for the murder of Coleman. The charges against Claud Rhodes were dismissed and it is unknown if Yearby Rhodes was ever tried. Ed Rhodes was tried, convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. He appealed and the case was reversed and remanded for a new trial. It is unknown at this time if he was ever retried.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters; his youngest daughter was born after his death.
Survivors
Deputy Sheriff Coleman was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters; his youngest daughter was born after his death.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-A75207CA- 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
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman gave the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gonzales community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert R. Coleman 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 Gonzales County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert R. Coleman's cause is highlighted.
How Robert R. Coleman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert R. Coleman is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert R. Coleman was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Gonzales County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
