Roll of Honor
James L. Grayson
Incident
Deputy Constable James Grayson was shot and killed on the 3300 block of Washington Avenue after he and another deputy confronted a group who were singing loudly and playing musical instruments near a park at 10:00 pm.
After Deputy Grayson ordered the men from the street one of them demanded to know who the officers were. As Deputy Grayson responded the man punched him in the face and grabbed a pistol. The two exchanged shots and Deputy Constable Grayson was fatally wounded. The subject was also wounded in return gunfire.
The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. He was pardoned by Governor James E. Ferguson on July 17th, 1917.
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BO-US-TX-6DA08BD1- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Constable Grayson gave the Harris County Constable's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Grayson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Constable James L. Grayson 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 Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James L. Grayson's cause is highlighted.
How James L. Grayson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Grayson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.
