Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Reese, Deputy Samuel Infante, and Deputy Arthur Robertson, of the Ellis County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed after being abducted by two men while conducting a burglary investigation. Their murders became known as the "Trinity River Massacre". Deputy Reese and Deputy Infante were backing up Deputy Robertson at the home of one of the suspects. The three were abducted, taken to the Trinity River and were shot execution style. Another Ellis County deputy was able to escape and get help. The fifth deputy was shot in the chest but survived. Both suspects, 24 and 33, were apprehended four days later after the most intensive search in Dallas County history. They later told investigators they wanted to leave Dallas and get away as far as they could but their heroin habit was so bad they needed to stay close to their suppliers. The oldest had spent 18 years of his life in prison for numerous crimes including armed robbery and burglary, A murder charge had been dropped against him recently because witnesses refused or were either to afraid to testify. The case had wire spread repercussions in Dallas for reasons other than the actual killing. Two persons believed to be informants in the hunt for the two had died. One was shot and killed in Dallas. The other was killed in a oil drilling accident that had indications of foul play. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1972 their sentences were commuted to life. The youngest was paroled on December 18, 1990. No one was notified of his parole hearing. His parole angered so many state and federal officials that the parole process was changed. The most major change was anyone convicted of capital murder could not be concidered for parole until he had served 35 years. Then in 1995 the suspect was arrested for driving while impaired in Lubbock. For reasons unknown nothing surfaced that he had violated his parole. Thanks to a Dallas jailer, now the Lubbock Police Chief, who was inv
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Reese served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reese.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Don Reese 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 Dallas County Sheriff's Department, 14 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Don Reese's cause is highlighted.
How William Don Reese Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Don Reese is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Don Reese was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Dallas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
