Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Brooks, and his brother, Eugene Brooks, were leaving the courthouse where they had been attending the trial of W.S. Gibbs. Sheriff Brooks had arrested Gibbs charging him with disturbing the peace. Gibbs had left the courthouse before Sheriff Brooks and his brother. Gibbs went across the street and obtained a rifle from a store. Gibbs stepped out of a doorway and fired at Eugene Brooks, the bullet struck Eugene Brooks in the left arm. Sheriff Brooks, pistol in hand, then ran across the street to make the arrest. As Sheriff Brooks approached the store where Gibbs was hiding, Gibbs fired again. Sheriff Brooks was hit in the chest and fell mortally wounded. He died on July 4.
Sheriff Brooks was single. He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri. In May 1886, family members had the body of Sheriff Brooks moved to Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
On April 24, 1885, Gibbs was shot and killed by Eugene Brooks. In May 1886, Brooks was tried and found not guilty of the murder. On October 19, 1886, Brooks died of pneumonia.
Sheriff Brooks, and his brother, Eugene Brooks, were leaving the courthouse where they had been attending the trial of W.S. Gibbs. Sheriff Brooks had arrested Gibbs charging him with disturbing the peace. Gibbs had left the courthouse before Sheriff Brooks and his brother. Gibbs went across the street and obtained a rifle from a store. Gibbs stepped out of a doorway and fired at Eugene Brooks, the bullet struck Eugene Brooks in the left arm. Sheriff Brooks, pistol in hand, then ran across the street to make the arrest. As Sheriff Brooks approached the store where Gibbs was hiding, Gibbs fired again. Sheriff Brooks was hit in the chest and fell mortally wounded. He died on July 4.
Sheriff Brooks was single. He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri. In May 1886, family members had the body of Sheriff Brooks moved to Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
On April 24, 1885, Gibbs was shot and killed by Eugene Brooks. In May 1886, Brooks was tried and found not guilty of the murder. On October 19, 1886, Brooks died of pneumonia.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-F4221D0B- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Brooks served with the Wharton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wharton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff W. Clarence Brooks 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 Wharton County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. Clarence Brooks's cause is highlighted.
How W. Clarence Brooks Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed by brother
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Clarence Brooks is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Clarence Brooks was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wharton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
