Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal L. J. Hoffman had been a private in the Texas State Police in 1870 and was assigned to McLennan-Hill county area. He resigned on September 5, 1870 when he qualified as the City Marshal of Waco.
Around noon City Marshal Hoffman was in a barber shop on the southwest corner of the Square and Second Street getting a shave. An unidentified man rode up on horseback, dismounted and entered the barber shop from the rear. He examined the lathered face of the marshal to make sure it was Hoffman. He walked behind the barber chair and shot the marshal in the back of head, killing him instantly. The man remounted and fire two shots at approaching policemen. As the man galloped to the bridge he tossed the toll collector a dollar and said, “Haven’t time to wait for the change,” and sped away.
Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis posted a $1,000 reward for the delivery of the body, dead or alive, of the murderer of Hoffman to the sheriff of McLennan County. The Adjutant General of the State Police reported in June 1871 that George Thomason, alias "Wild George" (name also reported as Williams) was mortally wounded by state policemen, but escaped. It is unknown if he died from his wounds. An alleged accomplice, legendary outlaw John Wesley Hardin, was arrested in 1871 but escaped after killing Texas State Policeman Jim Smalley.
City Marshal Hoffman was born around 1840 in North Carolina and served with the Confederate Army during Civil War. He was survived by his wife, Virginia, and two children, Ephriam, 9, and Beulah, 2. His place of burial has not been located.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, Virginia, and two children, Ephriam, 9, and Beulah, 2.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-180176BA- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Laban. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
City Marshal Hoffman served with the Waco Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Waco 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
Laban John Hoffman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
City Marshal Laban John Hoffman 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 Waco Police Department, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Laban John Hoffman's cause is highlighted.
How Laban John Hoffman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Laban John Hoffman is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Waco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
