Roll of Honor
Incident
A Texas Ranger company of about 70 men under the command of Captain John S. “Rip” Ford located a band of Comanche warriors who had been raiding settlements. One Comanche warrior was wounded twice, and left for dead in the charge. As Private William Gillespie passed, the warrior revived. Gillespie started to shoot the warrior with his pistol, but his horse swerved, and the shot went wild. The warrior shot Gillespie in the side with an arrow that penetrated his left lung. Fellow rangers moved Gillespie to a shade tree. Gillespie was unable to ride a horse so the men constructed a litter for him. He died that night about eight hours after being wounded. He was buried with honors near Agua Dulce. No other information is known about Gillespie at this time.
Pvt. Gillespie, On today, the 170th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol May 29th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-2BE4C351- 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
176 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Private Gillespie served with the Texas Rangers.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private William Gillespie 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 Texas Rangers, 104 of 122 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Gillespie's cause is highlighted.
How William Gillespie Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Gillespie is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Gillespie was killed by edged weapon; bow and arrow.
Others Who Wore This Badge
121 officers from Texas Rangers are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
