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Incident
Sheriff Charles Stephens was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to arrest a man wanted for murdering Officer T.A. Tedford, of the Dallas Police Department, four days earlier. The suspect had fled to his mother-in-law's home in Clarksville, where he had previously lived, after murdering Officer Tedford. When Sheriff Stephens learned of his location he went to the residence at approximately 10:00 pm, accompanied by the city marshal and a county constable. As the three approached the home they encountered several people sitting on the front porch. They split up as they walked towards the house. As they told the people on the porch to not move the man who had murdered Officer Tedford opened fire, striking Sheriff Stephens in the chest three times. Sheriff Stephens and the other officers returned fire, fatally wounding one of the people on the porch. Sheriff Stephens then collapsed and died. A civilian was also fatally shot during the shootout. The subject escaped into the river bottoms, but was located five days later by a posse. He was shot and killed when he resisted the posse's attempt to arrest him. At the time of his death Sheriff Stephens had been married for only six months. They are both buried in the Old Shamrock Cemetery, rural Red River County, Texas
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Stephens served with the Red River County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clarksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Red River County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 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.
Who
Charles was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Charles was 32. 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.
Charles was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Red River County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was 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
Red River County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Red River County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
