Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Jailer Bobby Mayo was shot and killed while coming to the aid of another deputy who had been attacked by six inmates while serving them food. The inmates had slammed the cell's steel door into another deputy and knocked him down. They then took a 2-shot Derringer from the deputy's pocket and began to beat him with a battery-filled sock. Jailer Mayo was shot in the head as he came to the assistance of the other deputy. The prisoners then began to destroy the property room but were all apprehended by other deputies. All six were charged with murder and attempted escape. One inmate was 22-years-old. The other five were 20-years-old. Three had recently been convicted of armed robbery. One was sentenced to 50 years, and two to 27 years. On October 13, 1970, the three robbed and shot the manager and his wife at the Bar-X Motel in Waco. Both victims recovered. A fourth inmate had been convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 10 years. Another was waiting to be tried for armed robbery, and the sixth was in jail charged with aggravated assault and destruction of private property. On June 17, 1971, the three who robbed the Bar-X were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. All three were awaiting their appeal results for armed robbery. The sentences were later commuted to life. One was denied parole on April 23, 2020. He has another parole hearing in March of 2023. Another was released at some point before 2011. Chief Jailer Mayo had served with the McLennan County Sheriff's Office for two years and had previously served four years with the McGregor Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-74CF9359- 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.
Chief Jailer Mayo gave the McLennan County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Jailer Mayo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Jailer Bobby Lee Mayo 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%.
At McLennan County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bobby Lee Mayo's cause is highlighted.
How Bobby Lee Mayo Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby Lee Mayo is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bobby Lee Mayo was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from McLennan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
