Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Tiny Ellison was on duty when he went to his trailer home to check on his two teenage sons around 3:00 am.
The suspect had been hiding beneath the trailer waiting for the deputy. The suspect shot Deputy Ellison as he stepped from his patrol car then fired one more round into Deputy Ellison as he lay on the ground. The suspect entered the trailer and then left and fired a third round into the deputy. Ellison's two teenage sons witnessed the final shot.
The suspect fled the scene and his body was discovered 12 hours later. His death was ruled a suicide. The suspect complained about Ellison to the sheriff and a county commissioner prior to the shooting.
Deputy Ellison had served with the Howard County Sheriff's Office for one year and had previously served with the Big Spring Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-1880C979- 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 Jimmie. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ellison gave the Howard County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Big Spring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ellison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jimmie Don "Tiny" Ellison 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 Howard County Sheriff's Office, 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. Jimmie Don "Tiny" Ellison's cause is highlighted.
How Jimmie Don "Tiny" Ellison Compares
Offender Outcome
suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jimmie Don "Tiny" Ellison is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jimmie Don "Tiny" Ellison was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Howard County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
