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Incident
Night Policeman Harry Floyd Hooker was shot and killed by a robbery suspect.
Policeman Hooker had been notified that a drunk man had been robbed by a stranger who had started out of town by way of the Cotton Belt Railroad track. Officer Hooker boarded a freight train that was "doubling" the hill north of town and sighted a man standing by the track for the train to pass. The train was stopped, Policeman Hooker walked back to the man, and the trainmen heard him ask the stranger to let him see what he had in a bundle he was carrying. The man shot Policeman Hooker once in the left breast and fled.
When the trainmen reached Officer Hooker, he was lying in the center of the track and was dying. Hooker reportedly said, "He got me," before he died. Hooker's pistol was lying on the track by his body, showing that he had seen the stranger draw his gun and had attempted to shoot, but it was too late.
A search by the sheriff and a posse could not locate the killer. No one was ever arrested or prosecuted for the crime. Oral family history reported that the suspect was shot and killed near Houston a year later and confessed to the slaying of Hooker before dying.
Policeman Hooker had served with the Jacksonville Police Department for six months. He was survived by a wife and two sons. Jacksonville citizens donated $250 to the widow.
Survivors
He was survived by a 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.
Night Policeman Hooker served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Hooker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 33. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Harry had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Harry was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
