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Hillen Armour Munson
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Hillen Munson and Special Deputy Sheriff Tom Pye were shot and killed while riding on posse attempting to arrest two escapees from the Brazoria County Jail.
The escapees had murdered a railroad stationmaster after escaping and were being sought by the posse. The posse had tracked the men to a cabin in Sandy Point. Deputy Munson, who had employed the cabin's owner, approached it in an attempt to talk the men into surrendering. One of the occupants opened fire with a shotgun, killing Deputy Munson.
The two subjects were able to flee from the cabin. One of them was arrested one week later while hiding in a cabin. Another posse was formed and located the second subject hiding in a thicket near Sandy Point. The man shot and killed Special Deputy Tom Pye before being killed by return gunfire.
The suspect who was arrested was returned to prison.
Deputy Munson was from a prominent family and was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried in the Munson Cemetery in Bailey’s Prairie.
Survivors
Deputy Munson was from a prominent family and was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Munson served with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Angleton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Munson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Hillen is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Hillen is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hillen is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1909, 2 officers at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1909, 8 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hillen was 46. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 39.5; the middle age was 38. Hillen had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 0 years.
Hillen was 46. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Hillen had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Hillen was 46. 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. Hillen had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hillen was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hillen had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 37.5% of these deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 50%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, Hillen among them.
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Edward C. Smith Aug 10, 1902
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Hillen Armour Munson
Sep 15, 1909
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Tom Pye Sep 23, 1909
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Joe Hughes Snow
Sep 15, 1920
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James William Cook Aug 26, 1925
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Joseph Arthur Harnest
Dec 14, 1937
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John Wesley McKinney Oct 22, 1940
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James Carol Douglas
May 15, 1973
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Patrick Elton Roberts, Jr. Aug 17, 1990
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Jason Alexander Oliff
Dec 5, 2005
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Charles Allen VanMeter
Jun 26, 2011
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Jesus Vargas
Jan 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Brazoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
