Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Arthur was shot and killed with his own weapon during an escape attempt from the Dickens County Jail on U.S. Highway 82. Two prisoners had asked him to fix some stopped-up plumbing, and as Sheriff Arthur walked past their cell, one of the inmates grabbed his gun and shot him in the neck. The suspects escaped but were apprehended. The shooter was sentenced to death and executed on May 4th, 1936. The other suspect was sentenced to 99 years. Sheriff Arthur had served two terms as sheriff and had been nominated for a third term.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-6D8A816E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Arthur served with the Dickens County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dickens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Arthur.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William Bowen Arthur is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Bowen Arthur's cause is highlighted.
How William Bowen Arthur Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Bowen Arthur is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Bowen Arthur was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Dickens County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.