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DeWitt Clinton Willbern
Incident
Constable DeWitt Willbern was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a drunk man in Brackettville. He was stabbed above the right eyebrow, in the left chest, and also suffered numerous cuts. Constable Willbern was able to shoot the subject in the side with his .22 caliber revolver. The man was arrested by other officers. He was convicted of Constable Willbern's murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison, where he died in 1966. Constable Willbern had been appointed as the Precinct 1 constable seven months earlier to fill a vacancy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Constable Willbern served with the Kinney County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Brackettville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Willbern.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeWitt is the only officer of Kinney County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 remembered here.
DeWitt is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
DeWitt is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
DeWitt 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 1948, 6 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
DeWitt was 65. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. DeWitt had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
DeWitt was 65. 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. DeWitt had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
DeWitt was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. DeWitt had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kinney County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, 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 edged weapon, in 1.4% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kinney County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.