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Incident
On January 14, 1873, the sheriff of Lampasas County was shot and wounded. When the district judge ordered the arrest of Wash and Mark Short, three of the five Horrell brothers drew pistols on the deputies and allowed the Short brothers to escape. Local authorities asked Governor Davis to send state police to maintain order. State Police Captain Thomas G. Williams and six state policemen were sent to Lampasas on March 14, 1873, to arrest anyone carrying a firearm and the Horrell brothers. They saw Bill Bowen carrying a pistol and enter a saloon. Captain Williams left three state policemen outside and he and Privates J. M. Daniels, Wesley Cherry, and Andrew Melville went inside to arrest him. When Captain Williams told Bowen he was under arrest, Mart Horrell told Bowen he did not have to submit to arrest. Captain Williams drew his pistol and wounded Mart Horrell. Gunfire erupted from the 10 or more men inside the small saloon. Williams and Daniels were killed instantly. Cherry made it outside before being killed. Melville was mortally wounded and ran to a local hotel. Tom Horrell was also wounded in the exchange. The men came out shooting and the three remaining state policemen fled back to Austin. Andrew Melville died on April 10, 1873. In October of 1876, Tom, Mart, and Merritt Horrell were acquitted of the killing of the four state policemen with the jury reaching its verdict without leaving their seats. After being twice acquitted in lawmen killings and cattle rustlings, Merritt Horrell was killed January 22, 1877 in a gunfight in Lampass, New Mexico. In 1878, Mart and Tom Horrell were arrested in Meredian Texas on armed robbery and murder charges and killed by vigilantes. In 1936, Sam Horrell died in California. Williams, Daniels, Cherry and Melville were buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas. Melville's grave has a marker, but no grave site or marker has been located for Daniels and Cherry. Williams was re-interred and buried in the Texas State Cemetery. A pos
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153 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Captain Williams served with the Texas State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Texas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Texas State Police has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1873, 4 officers at Texas State Police were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1871, with 5.
In 1873, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1873, 28 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1873, 34 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 28. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Texas State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 36; the middle age was 28.
Thomas was 28. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Thomas was 28. 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.
Thomas was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 30% of these deaths at Texas State Police, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Texas State Police. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% 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
Texas State Police has 10 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Texas State Police are honored on badge.nw.