Roll of Honor
George William "Will" Hardin
Incident
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Deputy Constable George W. Hardin along with Greenville Police Officers Lee Howard and Tom Ingram were outside Bob Bolton's Saloon on the east side of the town square. The officers were investigating to see if Bolton was selling liquor in violation of the Sunday closing law. Officer Howard entered the saloon and was pushed out a back window by Bob Bolton. Officer Howard then ran around and confronted Bolton at the front of the saloon. Howard and Bolton argued and both pulled their pistols and fired at about the same time. Neither was hit by the gunfire. Deputy Constable Hardin then stepped into the doorway and almost instantly was shot in the stomach by Bolton. Hardin then drew his pistol and fired several times killing Bolton. Hardin fell mortally wounded. Deputy Constable Hardin died at 6 p.m. the next day.
Hardin was survived by his wife, Eva Mason Hardin. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Mason family plot at East Mount Cemetery, Greenville, Hunt County, Texas.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Deputy Constable George W. Hardin along with Greenville Police Officers Lee Howard and Tom Ingram were outside Bob Bolton's Saloon on the east side of the town square. The officers were investigating to see if Bolton was selling liquor in violation of the Sunday closing law. Officer Howard entered the saloon and was pushed out a back window by Bob Bolton. Officer Howard then ran around and confronted Bolton at the front of the saloon. Howard and Bolton argued and both pulled their pistols and fired at about the same time. Neither was hit by the gunfire. Deputy Constable Hardin then stepped into the doorway and almost instantly was shot in the stomach by Bolton. Hardin then drew his pistol and fired several times killing Bolton. Hardin fell mortally wounded. Deputy Constable Hardin died at 6 p.m. the next day.
Survivors
Hardin was survived by his wife, Eva Mason Hardin.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Hardin served with the Hunt County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Hardin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Constable George William "Will" Hardin 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. George William "Will" Hardin's cause is highlighted.
How George William "Will" Hardin Compares
Offender Outcome
suspect killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George William "Will" Hardin is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George William "Will" Hardin was killed by handgun.