Ronnie Ray Dodds served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years and 7 months. Ronnie served during the years of World War II.
Sheriff Ronnie Dodds and Chief Deputy Albert Jakubek were shot and killed while transporting two juvenile prisoners from Shiner to Halletsville. During the transport, one of the prisoners was able to gain control of Sheriff Dodd's service revolver and shot both officers. Sheriff Dodds was killed instantly and Chief Deputy Jakubek succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. The triggerman, 20, was shot and wounded by officers as he was apprehended later that day near Halletsville. On January 23, 1970, he was sentenced to death but had his sentence commuted to life in 1972. The other suspect, 17, turned state's evidence and received a lesser sentence for a lesser charge. On June 19, 1997, he was still in prison. Sheriff Dodds had originally been elected by two votes in 1964 and was serving his second term as sheriff. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. In October 2017 a section of U.S. 90 Alternative was renamed the "Sheriff Ronnie Dodds Memorial Highway."
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In tribute
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.
Sheriff Dodds gave the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hallettsville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
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