Roll of Honor
Edward Sebastian Mayo
Incident
Deputy Sheriff E. Sebastian Mayo was shot and killed while attempting to serve civil papers in Opelousas.
The man named on the papers had been elected as sheriff in the previous election but was removed from office after failing to file the required oath required by Reconstruction laws. The governor then appointed a new sheriff who then hired Deputy Mayo as one of his deputies. The subject held a grudge against the new sheriff because of the appointment and had threatened another deputy who had attempted to serve legal papers on him.
On August 17th, 1870, Deputy Mayo was given civil papers to serve on the man. As Deputy Mayo approached his gate the man told him not to enter his property. Deputy Mayo responded that he was an officer who had to serve the papers. As he entered the gate the subject opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. The man was arrested and charged with Deputy Mayo's murder. Several weeks later a guard at the jail murdered him as he slept in retaliation for Deputy Mayo's murder. The guard was lynched by citizens after admitting to the murder.
Deputy Mayo was a Confederate Army veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office for 13 months and had previously served as a parish constable for approximately one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-66830393- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Mayo gave the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Opelousas community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Edward Sebastian Mayo served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Edward Sebastian Mayo 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 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. Edward Sebastian Mayo's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Sebastian Mayo Compares
Offender Outcome
Murdered in jail
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Sebastian Mayo is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Sebastian Mayo was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
