Roll of Honor
Joseph Russell Sitter
Incident
Customs Agent Joe Sitter and Private Eugene Hulen, of the Texas Rangers, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a gang who had previously attacked him and murdered Inspector Jack Howard. In 1912 Agent Sitter had arrested Francisco "Chico" Cano and members of his gang for horse and mule stealing. On February 10th, 1913, Agent Sitter, Inspector Jack Howard, and a brand inspector again arrested Cano. As they transported him through the rugged mountains in Pilares Canyon, the man's brothers and friends ambushed the three lawmen. Inspector Howard was killed, while Agent Sitter and the brand inspector were wounded. On May 24th, 1915, Agent Sitter gathered a posse that included a fellow United States Customs Service inspector, along with three Texas Rangers, to capture Cano and his gang. When the posse arrived at Pilares Canyon they could see some stolen horses in the canyon. A disagreement arose amongst the lawmen as to whether it was an ambush. Agent Sitter decided to split the group and enter the canyon. One of the groups started up one side of the canyon when they came under heavy fire and retreated. They could see Agent Sitter and Private Hulen pinned down across the canyon and tried five times unsuccessfully to reach them. The three officers walked four miles to a ranch and summoned help. The next day a posse arrived and found Agent Sitter and Private Hulen stripped naked, shot scores of times, and their faces unrecognizable from having been beaten with large stones. Agent Sitter was buried in the Valentine Cemetery in Jeff Davis County. He was survived by his wife and at least six children. Cano was indicted for the murder of Agent Sitter and Private Hulen but he was never prosecuted. He became a captain in the revolutionary Mexican army. He retired to his ranch in Mexico and died there on August 28th, 1943. Agent Joe Sitter was a veteran lawman on the Texas-Mexico border. He had served with the United State Customs Service for at least 20 years and had als
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and at least six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Customs Agent Sitter gave the United States Department of the Treasury 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Customs Agent Sitter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Customs Agent Joseph Russell Sitter is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 0.8 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Russell Sitter's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Russell Sitter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Russell Sitter is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Russell Sitter was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
