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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Harnest was shot and killed by a farmer who mistook him for an escaped convict. Deputy Harnest had gone to the man's farm in Sweeney as part of a robbery investigation. The farmer mistook Deputy Harnest for the original suspect and shot him twice.
Survivors
Deputy Harnest was survived by his wife and two children.
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 Harnest served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Angleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harnest.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1937, 1 officer at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1909, with 2.
In 1937, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 34. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 39.5; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 34. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Joseph was 34. 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.
Joseph was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 37.5%. Tuesdays: 25%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.5% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Edward C. Smith Aug 10, 1902
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Hillen Armour Munson
Sep 15, 1909
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Tom Pye Sep 23, 1909
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Joe Hughes Snow
Sep 15, 1920
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James William Cook Aug 26, 1925
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Joseph Arthur Harnest
Dec 14, 1937
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John Wesley McKinney Oct 22, 1940
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James Carol Douglas
May 15, 1973
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Patrick Elton Roberts, Jr. Aug 17, 1990
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Jason Alexander Oliff
Dec 5, 2005
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Charles Allen VanMeter
Jun 26, 2011
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Jesus Vargas
Jan 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Brazoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
