Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Ed Garner was shot and killed in retaliation for assisting a posse in arresting three brothers.
Three brothers were wanted for shooting up the town and disturbing the peace. Bee County Sheriff requested the assistance of Sheriff Garner in arresting the subjects. During the arrest attempt, a shootout occurred, and the father was killed before the brothers surrendered. While they were taken into custody, one of the subjects threatened Sheriff Garner.
A few months later, Sheriff Garner was at church with his family. When he exited the building, he was shot by the brother who had threatened him months prior.
The subject was sentenced to life in prison, and the Court of Appeals upheld the sentence. However, in 1885, he was pardoned by Governor John Ireland.
Sheriff Garner had served as Sheriff of the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-7D736F7D- 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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Garner gave the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Edward Rufus Garner is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 6.4 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At San Patricio County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Rufus Garner's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Rufus Garner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Rufus Garner is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Rufus Garner was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from San Patricio County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
