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Incident
Deputy Game Warden Joe Williams and Deputy Game Warden Harry Raymond drowned after being swept overboard while anchoring their department boat in advance of a hurricane.
Deputy Game Warden Williams and his assistant had been rescuing people from outlying islands near Aransas Pass, Texas. After anchoring their boat and going ashore the storm intensified causing them to go back to the boat to put out more anchors. At this time they were both swept overboard and drowned. Their bodies were recovered two days later.
Deputy Game Warden Williams was first buried in a mass grave on the beach near Sinton, San Patricio, Texas. However, the county sheriff recognized and identified Capt. Williams. His remains were reburied at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Corpus Christi.
Deputy Game Warden Williams was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Game Warden Williams was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
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 Game Warden Williams served with the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Joe is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Joe is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 6 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1919, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1919, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joe was 50. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Joe was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Joe was 50. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
September holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission has 4 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission are honored on badge.nw.
