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William Davis Allison
Incident
Field Inspector William Allison and Field Inspector Horace Roberson were shot and killed by two suspects that they were scheduled to testify against the following morning.
The inspectors were sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Seminole, Texas when the two suspected cattle thieves entered and immediately opened fire with a pistol and a shotgun. Inspector Allison was fatally wounded by a pistol shot and Inspector Roberson was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast.
Inspector Roberson's wife came downstairs and returned fire using her husband's backup pistol, wounding both suspects. The two men fled but were later apprehended. One of the suspects was sentenced to 55 years and the other was sentenced to 51 years.
Both men escaped from prison. One of them later committed suicide but the other was recaptured and eventually pardoned by the Texas governor.
Field Inspectors for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are commissioned as Special Texas Rangers and posses full law enforcement authority; Inspector Allison had previously served as Sheriff of Midland County, Texas, as an Arizona Ranger, and as Chief of Police for Roswell, New Mexico.
Survivors
Inspector Allison was survived by his wife.
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.
Field Inspector Allison served with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Field Inspector Allison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1923, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 61. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
William was 61. 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.
William was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
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 100% of all 4 deaths at Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association are honored on badge.nw.
