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Incident
Assistant Chief of Police John Southall and Special Deputy Sheriff Richard Shipp, of the Hunt County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest an intoxicated man who was firing a pistol. The suspect opened fire on the officers, striking Assistant Chief Southall in the forehead and the unarmed Deputy Shipp in the heart. Other officers on the scene returned fire and killed the suspect.
Survivors
Assistant Chief Southall 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.
Assistant Chief of Police Southall served with the Greenville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Southall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 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 1912, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Greenville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
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
1 officer from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
