Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Travis Williams was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire after he surprised a burglar at a service station at approximately 4:35 am. The suspect had stolen a utility company truck from another county and drove it to a Mesquite service station, where he then stole another car that was in for service. As he was leaving the service station at 105 U.S. 80 Frontage Road he was stopped by Officer Williams. The suspect immediately exited his vehicle and opened fire on Officer Williams using a .32 caliber pistol, striking him in the chest, arm, and leg. Although seriously wounded, Officer Williams returned fire and wounded the suspect in the leg. Officer Williams then moved behind the suspect's vehicle and was reloading his weapon when the suspect shot him in the back with a second gun, a shotgun loaded with rifle slugs. Responding officers found Officer Williams but he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the local hospital. The suspect was apprehended when he sought treatment for his gunshot wounds at a medical center. The suspect, 18, was sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied parole on May 17, 2018. His next parole hearing is in March of 2023. Officer Williams had served the Mesquite Police Department for 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old daughter, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-90D9A6F6- 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.
Police Officer Williams gave the Mesquite Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mesquite community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Travis Ed Williams 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 Mesquite Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Travis Ed Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Travis Ed Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Travis Ed Williams is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Travis Ed Williams was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mesquite Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
