Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable James Hopson was shot and killed as he and the county sheriff attempted to serve a warrant on a man suspected of stealing several firearms and other items during a burglary of a local hardware store.
When the officers arrived at the house on Larkin Street, the sheriff approached from the rear as Constable Hopson approached the front door. As Constable Hopson entered the house, the suspect opened fire, killing him. As the man fled he shot and wounded the sheriff.
The suspect was captured in Corsicana, Texas, nine days later. He was convicted of Constable Hopson's murder and sentenced to life in prison. On July 3rd, 1921, he escaped from Blue Ridge State Prison Farm.
Constable Hopson was survived by his mother and two brothers. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Black Jack Cemetery in rural Henderson County.
Survivors
Constable Hopson was survived by his mother and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-5B966BB4- 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.
Constable Hopson served with the Henderson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Hopson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James W. Hopson 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 Henderson County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Hopson's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Hopson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Hopson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Hopson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Henderson County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.
