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Incident
Deputy White was shot and killed by an escaped convict he had arrested at 10:30 p.m. He searched the suspect but failed to find a concealed revolver.
As he drove the man to jail the suspect produced the weapon and opened fire, wounding Deputy White and causing him to lose control of his car. The vehicle overturned and both men received additional injuries. Deputy White was taken to the Waxahachie Sanitarium where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect was taken into custody and executed in the electric chair on December 19, 1944.
Deputy White was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Deputy White was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Deputy Sheriff White gave the Ellis County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waxahachie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ellis County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Jess is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jess is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jess 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 1944, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jess had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jess had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jess had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Ellis County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Ellis County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Jess among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Ellis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
