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Incident
Sheriff John York was killed when a man he removed from a water line ambushed him and stabbed him at 100 West Belknap Street.
The town was in the middle of a drought and Sheriff York was attempting to maintain order. The citizens of the town would line up for their water ration. When the suspect became disorderly Sheriff York removed him from the line. The man later stabbed Sheriff York to death in an act of revenge.
Sheriff York was able to shoot and kill the suspect before he died.
Sheriff York had served with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
165 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff York gave the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1861, 1 officer at Tarrant County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1861, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1861, 16 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 163rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1861, 19 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 164th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tarrant County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 42; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 12.5 years.
John was 36. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 36. 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. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Tarrant County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 20% 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; knife, in 1.6% 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; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John B. York
Aug 24, 1861
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Hamill Poston Scott May 1, 1907
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Malcolm S. Davis
Jan 6, 1933
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Clark M. Rosenbalm, Jr.
Dec 4, 1983
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Frank D. Howell
Nov 3, 1986
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George Maurice Hendrix, Jr.
Sep 17, 1997
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Thomas Jay Smith
Sep 17, 1997
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Richard Krieger Jul 28, 2019
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Charles Edward Holt, III
Sep 1, 2020
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Craig Lavorrowous King
Dec 19, 2020
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Jerry William Jones
Dec 23, 2020
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William Howard Gudgell
Sep 17, 2021
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Jason Stuart Jones
Apr 11, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Tarrant County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
