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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willis Champion was shot and killed as two prisoners, one of them a convicted cop-killer, attempted to escape from the jail at 8:00 p.m. The two prisoners smuggled in two pistols and ammunition. When Deputy Champion approached them, they beat him and shot him in the back and knee. A jail orderly had come up the elevator, and when the men threatened to shoot him if he did not help, he quickly went back down the elevator and summoned reinforcements. Responding officers engaged in a shootout, killing one of the prisoners who was awaiting a death sentence. Deputy Champion succumbed to his to his injuries at Baylor Hospital. The other prisoner was executed. He was serving 40 years for killing Deputy Thomas Woods on December 21, 1922. Deputy Champion had served in law enforcement for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Champion gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Champion.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Willis is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 1 officer at Dallas County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1871, with 2.
In 1923, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 45. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Dallas County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.8 and 38.5; the middle age was 33.5. Willis had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Willis was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Willis had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Willis was 45. 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. Willis had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 21.4% of these deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
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James McMahan Jan 16, 1871
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Charles H. Nichols
Jan 20, 1871
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George V. Vise Jun 5, 1878
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Addison C. Pate
Sep 9, 1895
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Thomas I. Woods
Dec 21, 1922
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Willis Glover Champion
Sep 26, 1923
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James C. Wright Sep 28, 1924
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Thomas L. Noell
May 31, 1928
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James Willis Fuller
Jun 13, 1932
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Cecil Vincent Chapman
Sep 9, 1934
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Kassie Mae Chandler
Dec 16, 1948
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James Weldon Hill
Nov 9, 1964
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E. R. Walthers
Jan 10, 1969
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Samuel Garcia Infante, Jr.
Feb 15, 1971
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William Don Reese
Feb 15, 1971
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Esteban Velasquez, Jr.
Feb 24, 1980
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Ray Edward Kovar
Jun 20, 1982
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Suzanne Lee Kays
Jan 4, 1989
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James Robert Allman
Aug 5, 1995
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Bobby Eugene Pace
Sep 24, 1998
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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