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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Reddicks was shot and killed from ambush by a subject whom he had just ejected from a motion picture show in Saratoga.
Deputy Reddicks, who was working in a cafe he owned in Saratoga, was sent for by the man operating the motion picture show because a man at the show was creating a disturbance. Deputy Reddicks went to the location and told the man to go home. The man responded that he was going to get his father's shotgun and return with it.
Deputy Reddicks returned to his cafe and was sitting behind the counter when the man returned and fired two blasts from the shotgun through a window, striking him with both shots.
The man fled but turned himself in the following day. He was charged with murder but the charges were dismissed two years later.
Deputy Reddicks was survived by several adult children.
Survivors
Deputy Reddicks was survived by several adult 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.
Deputy Sheriff Reddicks served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kountze community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reddicks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hardin County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1939, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 64. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
James was 64. 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.
James was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Hardin County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.9% 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; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Hardin County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hardin County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
