Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Humphreys was shot and killed while going to the assistance of one of his constables during an attempted jailbreak.
An inmate had attacked the constable and taken his weapon. Sheriff Humphreys heard a commotion at the jail and went to investigate with a friend. As soon as he rounded the top flight of the stairs and stepped into the doorway, he was shot and killed. Another inmate also killed his friend. During this time, Sheriff' Humphreys' son grabbed the keys from their home, which was across the street, and opened the gun cabinet. Another deputy took the rifle from Sheriff Humphreys' son and struck the suspect on the neck, where he collapsed and died on the steps.
Sheriff Humphreys had served with Newton County for ten years. He was survived by his wife and seven children. His son, who helped stop the jailbreak, became the Sheriff of Newton County for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-99923384- 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.
Sheriff Humphreys gave the Newton County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Humphreys.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff David C. Humphreys 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 Newton County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David C. Humphreys's cause is highlighted.
How David C. Humphreys Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David C. Humphreys is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David C. Humphreys was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
