Roll of Honor
Incident
Alfredo de la Cerda, rancher and suspected cattle thief, his brother Ramón, and their father owned the Francisco de Asís Ranch, which bordered the King Ranch. Alfredo's father was killed in 1900 by a Brownsville policeman. In 1901 the brothers were arrested and charged with rustling cattle from the King Ranch. Texas Ranger Sergeant A. Y. Baker, and Privates W. E. (Emmett) Robuck and Harry Wallis were investigating cattle rustling when they came upon Ramón Cerda in the process of branding cattle on Mrs. King's ranch. Sergeant Baker reported that Cerda fired at him and killed his horse. Sergeant Baker returned fire and shot Cerda in the head killing him. The three state rangers were charged with murder and arrested. The rangers were released on a $10,000 bond each. Jesse Miller, an employee of Mrs. M. H. King, was charged as an accessory and also released on a $10,000 bond. The rangers were supported financially and legally by Richard King, John B. Armstrong, the former Ranger captain who captured John Wesley Hardin, and the Lyman brothers. An inquest into the incident stated that Baker acted in self-defense.
Around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 1902, Sergeant Baker, Private Robuck and Jesse Miller (also reported as a Ranger private) were riding horse back near Brownsville to the ranger camp. Several men hiding in ambush opened fire on the three men with shotguns loaded with buckshot. Private Robuck was struck and mortally wounded. He rode about 150 yards before collapsing and dying. Sergeant Baker was slightly wounded, and Miller was unhurt, although his horse was killed. The men escaped, but Alfredo Cerda and five other men suspected in the ambush were arrested after an investigation by Ranger Captain John A. Brooks. Heroulano Berbier, who was to testify against Alfredo Cerda, was killed before he could do so.
W. E. (Emmett) Robuck was buried by the Knights of Honor in the cemetery next to the Episcopal Church in Brownsville. His body was re-interred to the Bunton Cemetery in Dale in Caldwell County. He was 25 years of age and single. His parents lived in Lockhart, Caldwell County, and posted a $500 reward for the capture of his killers. He was survived by six brothers and sisters. His name is spelled in newspaper accounts and records as both Robuck and Roebuck, but his ranger enlistment papers indicate his name was Robuck. Alfredo Cerda was released on bond. He swore to kill Baker or pay $1,000 to anyone who killed him. Baker was a tough lawman and acted first. Shortly before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 1902, Baker caught Alfredo Cerda trying on a pair of gloves at Brownsville store, and shot him with a Winchester through the store window. Baker contended that Alfredo was reaching for his pistol and he fired in self defense. Using money provided by the King's and others, Baker was freed on bond. On Tuesday, October 13, 1903, Baker was acquitted of the killings of Ramón and Alfredo Cerda. The jury was only out for 20 minutes. Baker later served as a U.S. Customs Inspector and Sheriff of Hidalgo County. He died in 1930.
W. E. (Emmett) Robuck was buried by the Knights of Honor in the cemetery next to the Episcopal Church in Brownsville. His body was re-interred to the Bunton Cemetery in Dale in Caldwell County. He was 25 years of age and single. His parents lived in Lockhart, Caldwell County, and posted a $500 reward for the capture of his killers. He was survived by six brothers and sisters. His name is spelled in newspaper accounts and records as both Robuck and Roebuck, but his ranger enlistment papers indicate his name was Robuck.
Survivors
He was survived by six brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-5EE2A7FE- 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 W.. 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
You barely got started.
Private Robuck gave the Texas Rangers 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Robuck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private W. Emmett Robuck 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 Texas Rangers, 104 of 122 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. Emmett Robuck's cause is highlighted.
How W. Emmett Robuck Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Emmett Robuck is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Emmett Robuck was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
121 officers from Texas Rangers are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
