Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Harold Humphus and Deputy Otis Watkins were shot and killed while attempting to bring an escapee back to the Austin State Mental Hospital. While placing the subject in the patrol vehicle, the man was able to gain control of Deputy Humphus' revolver and shot both deputies. The suspect was arrested a short distance away carrying the deputies' shotgun. The Falls County Sheriff was furious, stating, How long are they gonna let these --------- mental hospitals just let inmates walk out?" The inmate walked out through an unlocked door. On November 10, 1976, the suspect, 26, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to 50 years. Deputy Watkins served with the Falls County Sheriff's Office as a part-time deputy for 20 years and had only been a full-time deputy for 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-8BD78DC5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Watkins gave the Falls County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Marlin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Watkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elbert Watkins 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 Falls County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elbert Watkins's cause is highlighted.
How Elbert Watkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 50 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elbert Watkins is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elbert Watkins was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Falls County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
