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Incident
On Thursday, February 10, 1898, Fannin County Precinct 1 Constable Thomas E. Milstead and Fannin County Deputy Sheriffs C. B. "Charley" Bridge, Dailey Parish, and June Riddling went to the community of Mulberry in northern Fannin County to arrest two subjects for selling illegal whiskey and carrying pistols.
Constable Milstead and Deputy Sheriff Bridge knocked on the front door and advised the subject that there was a warrant for his arrest when he opened the door. The subject drew a pistol and began firing at the officers. Constable Milstead was struck in the face by the gunfire but drew his gun, charged into the house, and killed one subject. The constable then engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the other subject. Constable Milstead, who was weak from the loss of blood, was thrown down on a bed, and the subject was trying to shoot him when Deputy Sheriff Bridge came to Milstead's rescue and shot and killed the subject.
Constable Milstead was mortally wounded with five gunshot wounds and died four days later on February 14, 1898. Deputy Sheriff Bridge was seriously injured by the gunfire but did not die from his wounds.
Constable Milstead was survived by his wife and an unknown number of children.
He was buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery, Bonham, Fannin County, Texas.
Constable Milstead and Deputy Sheriff Bridge knocked on the front door and advised the subject that there was a warrant for his arrest when he opened the door. The subject drew a pistol and began firing at the officers. Constable Milstead was struck in the face by the gunfire but drew his gun, charged into the house, and killed one subject. The constable then engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the other subject. Constable Milstead, who was weak from the loss of blood, was thrown down on a bed, and the subject was trying to shoot him when Deputy Sheriff Bridge came to Milstead's rescue and shot and killed the subject.
Survivors
Constable Milstead was survived by his wife and an unknown number of children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Milstead served with the Fannin County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bonham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 40. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Thomas was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fannin County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.