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Incident
Police Officer Travis Williams was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire after he surprised a burglar at a service station at approximately 4:35 am. The suspect had stolen a utility company truck from another county and drove it to a Mesquite service station, where he then stole another car that was in for service. As he was leaving the service station at 105 U.S. 80 Frontage Road he was stopped by Officer Williams. The suspect immediately exited his vehicle and opened fire on Officer Williams using a .32 caliber pistol, striking him in the chest, arm, and leg. Although seriously wounded, Officer Williams returned fire and wounded the suspect in the leg. Officer Williams then moved behind the suspect's vehicle and was reloading his weapon when the suspect shot him in the back with a second gun, a shotgun loaded with rifle slugs. Responding officers found Officer Williams but he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the local hospital. The suspect was apprehended when he sought treatment for his gunshot wounds at a medical center. The suspect, 18, was sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied parole on May 17, 2018. His next parole hearing is in March of 2023. Officer Williams had served the Mesquite Police Department for 4 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old daughter, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Williams gave the Mesquite Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mesquite community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mesquite Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Travis is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Travis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Travis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Travis was 28. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Travis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Travis was 28. 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. Travis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Travis was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Travis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Mesquite Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Mesquite Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Travis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mesquite Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
