Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Mike Naylor was shot and killed as he and other deputies served a warrant on a child sexual predator at a home on the 3800 block of North County Road 1247.
The officers attempted to make contact with the man, but he refused to come to the door. Deputies then broke out a window of the home to make visual and verbal contact with the man, but he still refused to come out. As Sergeant Naylor and the man continued to speak, the man suddenly fired a shot, striking the officer in the head.
Other deputies pulled Sergeant Naylor away from the home and transported him to a waiting ambulance. He was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his wound. A second deputy was also transported to the hospital with breathing difficulties following the incident.
The subject who shot Sergeant Naylor was taken into custody a short time later. He was subsequently charged with capital murder, and felony aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to 2 life sentences without parole in February 2015.
Sergeant Naylor was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Midland County Sheriff's Office for 15 years, assigned to the Mental Health Unit and the department's Honor Guard commander.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, nephews, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-54A9A9AC- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Sergeant Naylor gave the Midland County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Midland 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
Michael Joe Naylor served in the Air Force (1994â1997) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Michael Joe Naylor 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. Michael Joe Naylor's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Joe Naylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 life sentences
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Joe Naylor is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Joe Naylor was killed by gun; unknown type.