Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputized Civilian William Fletcher was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for assaulting his wife.
The subject was charged with wife beating and assault with a pistol. A Brazos County Deputy went to arrest him and summoned W.E. Fletcher, a merchant and railroad agent at Wellborn in Brazos County, and another citizen to aid him in making the arrest. The subject was in his house and refused to surrender. Deputized Civilian Fletcher attempted to open the door and got it partially open, and was almost inside when the subject shot Fletcher in the heart. Deputized Citizen Fletcher returned fire and hit the subject in the stomach. Deputized Citizen Fletcher walked about 100 yards and gradually let himself down to the ground, where he died.
The subject fled and was captured later. He died in the county jail from his wound on January 17, 1883.
Deputized Citizen Fletcher was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputized Citizen Fletcher was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-DAB050F9- 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
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Deputized Civilian Fletcher served with the Brazos County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bryan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Civilian William E. Fletcher 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 Brazos County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. William E. Fletcher's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Fletcher Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Fletcher is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Fletcher was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Brazos County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
