Roll of Honor
Incident
On October 21, 1913, P. J. Bruce shot former Sheriff A. L. Board six times, killing him instantly. Bruce ran down the steps and opened fire on Baylor County Sheriff W. L. Ellis. In the ensuing shootout Bruce was shot two times and killed. Sheriff Ellis was seriously wounded. Bruce killed the former sheriff because the sheriff was with a deputy shot and killed Bruce's brother on August 18, 1901.
On August 6, 1916, Sheriff W. L. Ellis was shot around 12 noon by Stephen Brown, a prisoner, and died at 2:30 p.m. Sheriff Ellis had arrested Brown in connection with a theft from a local store and was bringing him to town. About two miles south of Seymour, Brown struck the sheriff with his handcuffs, stunning him. Brown then took the sheriff’s pistol and shot him. Brown fled the scene. A posse was assembled and caught Brown four miles west of town. Brown was shot and killed by the posse. Brown was still wearing the sheriff’s handcuffs and carrying his pistol.
Sheriff Ellis was buried in the Seymour Cemetery in Baylor County. He was survived by his wife, Ellen, and two children, Edith and Clay. Ellis was elected sheriff of Baylor County on November 5, 1912 and re-elected on November 3, 1914 and served until his death on August 6, 1916.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, Ellen, and two children, Edith and Clay.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-1AAFBEAD- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Ellis gave the Baylor County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seymour community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William Louis Ellis is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baylor 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. William Louis Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How William Louis Ellis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Louis Ellis is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Louis Ellis was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Baylor County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
