Roll of Honor
William B.M. Barbee
Incident
Burleson County Precinct 3 Constable John Johnson called upon Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace William B.M. Barbee to accompany him to arrest John Carroway. Carroway was characterized by the newspaper as a notorious thief and outlaw. He was suspected of stealing a mule from the widow of John Nunn. Constable Johnson had a writ for Carroway’s arrest. Johnson and Barbee tracked Carroway to a house on Yegau Creek. They searched the house and did not find Carroway. Barbee went to search the smokehouse, and while looking between the logs was shot from inside with a rifle. The bullet grazed Barbee’s forehead and knocked him down. As Barbee attempted to rise, Carroway shot him again in the bowels with shotgun loaded with buckshot. Carroway ran from the smokehouse, but was shot by Constable Johnson. It was reported that Carroway died several hours later and Barbee died three hours later.
The newspaper reports Barbee as a respected citizen about 35 years of age who was survived by his wife and a child.
Survivors
The newspaper reports Barbee as a respected citizen about 35 years of age who was survived by his wife and a child.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-86CBF405- 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
169 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputized Civilian Barbee served with the Burleson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Caldwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Civilian William B.M. Barbee 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. William B.M. Barbee's cause is highlighted.
How William B.M. Barbee Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed by constable
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William B.M. Barbee is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William B.M. Barbee was killed by shotgun.