Samuel J. Stepp
Agency patch
Constable

Samuel J. Stepp

Felonious
End of Watch January 2, 1920
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 38 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable Sam Stepp was shot and killed as he and an El Paso County deputy sheriff attempted to arrest two men suspected of robbing a citizen.

The robbery victim had immediately notified Constable Stepp, who requested assistance from the deputy. As the two lawmen and the victim returned the scene of the crime, they encountered the two suspects.

After the victim identified the two men, Constable Stepp informed them they would be placed under arrest. One of the suspects complied, but the second suspect produced a pistol and shot Constable Stepp three times. Despite being mortally wounded, Constable Stepp returned fire and fatally shot the man. The deputy transported Constable Stepp to Providence Hospital, where he died the following day.

Because the two suspects were US Army soldiers, a military policeman took the remaining suspect into custody. The man was charged with murder following Constable Stepp's death.

Constable Stepp was survived by his wife, parents, five brothers, and three sisters.

Survivors

Constable Stepp was survived by his wife, parents, five brothers, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-CC177A75
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Stepp served with the El Paso County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Stepp.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location El Paso, TX
Platform Identity epccop1co.elpaso.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 2, 1920
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed

Constable Samuel J. Stepp 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 El Paso County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

El Paso County Constable's Office - Precinct 1
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel J. Stepp's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Samuel J. Stepp Compares

Age at End of Watch
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel J. Stepp is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel J. Stepp was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from El Paso County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.