Roll of Honor
Incident
Superintendent Robert McMinn was beaten to death with a mattock by an inmate who was attempting to escape from a work crew along the Wellborn Road, near Wellborn, Texas.
The inmate attacked Superintendent McMinn at approximately 8:00 am by striking him in the face with a mattock (a tool similar to a pick ax). The prisoner then struck him two more times on the back of his head after he fell to the ground before escaping with two other prisoners.
Two other prisoners immediately came to Superintendent McMinn's aide and shot at the three escapees. All three escapees were eventually apprehended. The subject who struck Superintendent McMinn stated the other two inmates did not participate in the attack. He was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of Superintendent McMinn's murder.
On January 13th, 1915, the prisoner was shot and killed when he attempted to disarm a guard while trying to escape from the State Plantation at Allen Farm, in Brazos County.
Superintendent McMinn was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Superintendent McMinn was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-1C719856- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Superintendent McMinn served with the Brazos County Convict Camp.
Thank you for your service to the Bryan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Superintendent McMinn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Superintendent Robert Patton McMinn 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Patton McMinn's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Patton McMinn Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Patton McMinn is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Patton McMinn was killed by edged weapon; pick ax.