Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Cornelius Sweeney succumbed to a gunshot wound when a group of men opened fire on the jail.
A subject had been arrested for sexual assaults. For days, a mob would form and threaten to break the prisoner out of jail. Finally, on August 24th, a group of men fired at the guards, striking Jailer Sweeney and starting their assault on the jail. Civilians came to the aid of the guards and forced the mob to retreat. When the riot was over, the prisoner was found dead in his cell.
Jailer Sweeney succumbed to his injuries three months later.
Jailer Sweeney was a Civil War veteran. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, four stepdaughters, and a stepson.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, four stepdaughters, and a stepson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-4DCB3AF7- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Jailer Sweeney served with the Refugio County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Refugio community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Cornelius Sweeney served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Jailer Cornelius Sweeney 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 Refugio County Sheriff's Dept., 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. Cornelius Sweeney's cause is highlighted.
How Cornelius Sweeney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cornelius Sweeney is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cornelius Sweeney was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Refugio County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
