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Incident
Sheriff John Olive was shot and killed by two brothers while he was walking on a train platform in Echo, Bell County, Texas. He and a friend were returning to Williamson County after attending the Belton Fair. They were waiting for the train at 2:00 am when one of the brothers shot him from ambush. He was able to return fire but did not strike the man. The bothers shot him because Sheriff Olive had killed two of their brothers in a shootout 12 years prior. Both were apprehended and charged with Sheriff Olive's murder. One of the brothers was tried and acquitted in 1893. The charges against the other brother were dismissed but he was re-indicted in 1914. The case did not go to trial until 1923. Texas Governor J. E. Ferguson and Secretary of State John McKay testified on behalf of the defendant and the jury found him not guilty. Sheriff Olive had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office for two years.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Olive gave the Williamson County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Georgetown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Williamson County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1892, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 48. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 48. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Williamson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% 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
Williamson County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Williamson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
