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Incident
Sheriff Walter Hollingsworth succumbed to injuries received when he was accidentally struck on the head with a pipe while struggling with a mentally ill prisoner in the county jail. A friend of Sheriff Hollingsworth's came to his aid and accidentally struck him on the head with the pipe. Sheriff Hollingsworth had served as sheriff of Coryell County for 19 years. He was survived by his wife and eight children. The old Coryell County Jail building where the incident occurred was demolished in 2023.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight 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.
Sheriff Hollingsworth gave the Coryell County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gatesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hollingsworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Coryell County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1934, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 60. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Walter was 60. 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. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Coryell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Coryell County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coryell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
