Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Kays was shot and killed with her own weapon after being attacked by a homeless man who had just been released from jail. Deputy Kays was escorting the man from the Lew Sterrett Justice Center when he suddenly turned and punched her, knocking her to the ground. He continued to strike her on the ground and took her gun while they struggled. He then shot and killed her before running toward the booking area, where he was confronted by several Dallas Police officers who ordered him to drop the gun. When he refused, he was shot in the legs and groin by an officer with a shotgun. The subject was found incompetent to stand trial and sent to a Texas mental institution. He was sentenced to two life terms. He died in prison. Deputy Kays was a United States Army veteran and had graduated from her academy class only one week before the incident and was on her second shift. She had been in law enforcement for four years. The Suzanne L. Kays Detention Facility was named in her honor.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-BD2EC6E1- 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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Kays gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, sister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Suzanne Lee Kays served in the Army (1975â1979) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Lee Kays 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 Dallas County Sheriff's Department, 14 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Suzanne Lee Kays's cause is highlighted.
How Suzanne Lee Kays Compares
Offender Outcome
Found incompetent
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Suzanne Lee Kays is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Suzanne Lee Kays was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Dallas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
