Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Stephen Davenport was shot and killed in an ambush while he and other members of the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force attempted to search a rural property for stolen farm equipment in Shive, Hamilton County.
The three officers were obtaining consent to search the property from a female in the home at approximately 3:30 pm. While doing so, Sergeant Davenport noticed movement in a nearby barn and began to move towards it to investigate. As he approached, he was shot with a high-powered rifle by the suspect who was in the barn.
The suspect shot at the other two officers and pinned them down for more than an hour with rifle fire. The suspect then fled into the nearby woods and wounded two responding officers who were setting up a perimeter. He was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sergeant Davenport had served in law enforcement for 11 years. He had previously served with the Teague Police Department, Harris County Constable's Office, and the Mexia Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4BA083B8- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Davenport gave the Limestone County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Groesbeck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Davenport.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Stephen Edward Davenport 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 Limestone County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Stephen Edward Davenport's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen Edward Davenport Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen Edward Davenport is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen Edward Davenport was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Limestone County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
