Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Hugh Lea and Deputy Constable Robert Olinger were shot and killed while attempting to serve a writ at a home near Mooresville.
A friend of the homeowner confronted the constables and demanded who the writ was for. As Constable Lea responded the man drew a revolver and fatally shot him. Despite his wounds, Constable Lea was able to return and wounded the man, however, the man was able to fatally shoot Deputy Constable Olinger before fleeing.
The man was arrested the following day. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He escaped from the Marlin County Jail on September 23rd, 1879, and it is not known if he was ever recaptured.
Constable Lea was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Lea was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-11FDE895- 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
149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Lea served with the Falls County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marlin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Hugh W. Lea 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 Falls County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, 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. Hugh W. Lea's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh W. Lea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh W. Lea is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh W. Lea was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Falls County Constable's Office - Precinct 5 are honored on badge.nw.
