Egbert Ellison

United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch August 9, 1930

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 60 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 93

Incident

Inspector Bert Ellison was shot and killed in Hargill, Hidalgo County, Texas, after being ambushed by several men who were seeking retaliation as the result of a family member being deported to Mexico. The subject who organized the ambush was was upset over the deportation of his wife. The man, his brother, and two men decided to hide in the brush about 200 yards from a Mexican dance and kill the first officer they could capture. Mounted Inspector Ellison and other officers were in the vicinity of the dance for the purpose of ascertaining if any violations of law were being committed. Inspector Ellison and his partner separated, following different trails into the brush. Within a short time after they had separated some eight or more shots were heard. Inspector Ellison's partner called out to him but received no response. The other inspectors found Inspector Ellison's body with his pistol holster in his pocket, but his belt, flashlight, and pistol missing. Several empty .32 caliber shells were found near his body. A posse of lawmen located two of the men the next day, and in the ensuing gun battle, the ringleader was killed and his brother was captured. The two other men were also arrested. Two of the men were sentenced to death and executed on October 30th, 1931. The outcome of the trial against the third subject is not known. Inspector Ellison was a widower and survived by his 6-month-old son.

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Added to badge.nw: 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.
Inspector Ellison served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Ellison.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service

Type Federal Agency

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdtuscsfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 9, 1930

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Egbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Egbert was 30. 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.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month

By day of the week

How

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.

Every cause

Weapons recorded