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Incident
Patrolman Sartain was shot and killed by a sniper while using an employee entrance at the police station during a shift change. The suspect, 16, who lived in an apartment complex 200-yards behind the police station, was apprehended two days later. On April 18, 1972, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years. A life sentence was ruled out due to his age. On February 7, 1974, the boy was released in leu of bond after the Texas Court of Appeals reversed his conviction. On June 4, 1974, he was convicted a second time for murder and sentenced to 99 years. His attorney said he merely shot at a building and did not mean to hit anyone. He was paroled in 1984.
Survivors
Patrolman Sartain was survived by his wife, son, brother, and mother.
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.
Patrolman Sartain served with the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Corpus Christi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sartain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Corpus Christi Police Department has lost 16 officers; 7 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, 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 1971, 1 officer at Corpus Christi Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 15 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 22. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Corpus Christi Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 46.5; the middle age was 40.
John was 22. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 22. 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 was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths at Corpus Christi Police Department; January holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 42.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 16 deaths at Corpus Christi Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Corpus Christi Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Elias T. Mussett
May 6, 1892
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L. B. Prater
Sep 14, 1919
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Joseph Leroy Moon
Jun 7, 1938
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Robert Lloyd Hobbs
Nov 25, 1947
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Roy Newton Smith
Apr 20, 1953
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Frank Edward Dolan
Feb 12, 1960
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John William Sartain
Aug 20, 1971
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Ruben T Almanza
Jul 28, 1984
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Joseph Daniel Bock
Sep 9, 1987
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Juan Rincon Prieto
Feb 2, 1993
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Matthew Barret Thebeau
Jan 20, 2008
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Stuart Jay Alexander
Mar 11, 2009
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Alan Daniel McCollum
Jan 31, 2020
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Charlie Williams, Jr.
Jul 13, 2020
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Kyle Hicks
Apr 24, 2024
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Vicente Ortiz, Jr.
Jun 1, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Corpus Christi Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
