Roll of Honor
Incident
In the 1890s the area along the Rio Grande River separating Texas and Mexico in Presidio County was called the “Bloody Peninsula.” The name came from the bloodshed that was caused by outlaws and marauding bandits from Mexico. Deputy Sheriff Simon L. de Leon was shot and killed by Nermin Lujan in El Polvo (present day Redford). Lujan fled to Mexico and was arrested at Presidio del Norte, Mexico. The newspaper reported that Lujan was given a preliminary trial and will be remitted to Chihuahua for final trial. It also speculated he would probably be placed in the army and sent to the Yucatan. Deputy de Leon’s death was alleged to have been the result of revenge for having aided the peaceable American citizens in carrying out the law. It was reported the gang had sworn to kill the peace officers of El Polvo.
Simon L. de Leon was elected constable for Precinct 3 in Presidio, Presidio County, on November 4, 1890. There is a notation that he resigned before assuming office. He became a deputy sheriff under Sheriff S.R. Miller. There is no personal information known at this time about him.
Several weeks later on August 14, 1891, Presidio County Deputy Sheriff Toribio Pastrano was shot and killed in El Polvo when he attempted to arrest Antonio Carrasco for the murder of Texas Ranger Sergeant Charles Fusselman on April 17, 1890.
Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 26th, 2020
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff de Leon served with the Presidio County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marfa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Simon L. de Leon 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 Presidio County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 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. Simon L. de Leon's cause is highlighted.
How Simon L. de Leon Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested in Mexico
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Simon L. de Leon is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Simon L. de Leon was killed by not available.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Presidio County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
