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Incident
On April 24, 1894, Milam County Precinct 4 Constable Nathan Busby left his beat in the City of Rockdale in the afternoon to travel about 2 miles north of the city for dinner. Around 7:30 p.m. he started back to Rockdale and near the old York farm he arrested an intoxicated male. The newspaper reported that Constable Busby was walking the arrested man back to town and leading his horse. The man suddenly turned and struck at Constable Busby with a knife, missing his throat, but striking and cutting a bad wound in his jaw. The constable and the suspected began to struggle and the constable discharged his pistol twice. The suspect overpowered the constable and stabbed him several times. The constable threw the suspect off and escaped to a residence where medical assistance was summoned. Constable Busby died on Thursday, April 26, 1894.
The suspect escaped the posse sent to capture him. Several newspapers reported in August 1894 that the suspect has been apprehended in Kentucky, but it was the wrong man. In May 1908 it was reported that Sheriff Holtzclaw returned from Brownwood with a prisoner believed to the killer of Constable Busby. It is unknown at this time if the suspect was ever prosecuted.
Constable Nathan Busby had nine children and his wife, Mary, reportedly preceded him in death during childbirth. He was buried in the Old City Cemetery in Rockdale, Milam County. Busby was elected constable for Precinct 4 in Rockdale on November 8, 1892 and qualified as constable on November 18, 1892.
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Tributes
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Busby gave the Milam County Constable's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cameron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nathan is the only officer of Milam County Constable's Office - Precinct 4 remembered here.
Nathan is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Nathan is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nathan 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 1894, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nathan was 62. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Nathan had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Nathan was 62. 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. Nathan had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathan was 62. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nathan had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Milam County Constable's Office - Precinct 4. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.6% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Milam County Constable's Office - Precinct 4 are honored on badge.nw.