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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Alexander Trice was shot and killed at 2:15 am after interrupting several men attempting to break into a store in Clint.
His body was not found until 6:00 a.m. when the owner arrived to open the store. Deputy Trice had been shot three times at close range. Deputy Trice's watchman's clock showed he had rung in at 2:15 a.m., probably a few minutes before the shooting took place. The killers took his pistol and keys. The front door of the store had holes bored into the lock.
The newspaper reported that Deputy Trice had arrested two men about six months earlier who were committing area burglaries and fleeing back into Mexico afterward. The store had been burglarized three times recently.
Three men were arrested by Juarez, Mexico police with evidence from another store burglary and cartridges from the same caliber that killed Deputy Trice. Fingerprints were lifted at the scene and compared to the three suspects. They were later released. It is unknown if anyone was ever arrested or convicted for the murder of Deputy Trice.
Deputy Trice was reported to have lived in and around Clint for 23 years. He was survived by his wife, five sons and two daughters. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sons and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Trice served with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Trice.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1931, 1 officer at El Paso County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 54. Of the 6 killed feloniously at El Paso County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51.8; the middle age was 40.
Robert was 54. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Robert was 54. 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.
Robert was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 33.3% of these deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
