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Incident
Deputy Meyer was shot and killed while working in the Galveston County Jail. A person entered the jail, asked to see an inmate, and then pulled out a handgun and gave it to the inmate. A jail trustee began to struggle with the inmate, and the weapon discharged, striking Deputy Meyer in the stomach. The suspect, and the inmate he came to see, both escaped but were later apprehended.
On September 11, 1931, the inmates visitor, 39, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. He was pardoned on March 22, 1934. The inmate, 25, under a 35 year sentence for armed robbery, was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate on February 12, 1933, at Huntsville Penitentiary.
Deputy Sheriff Joe Meyer, Sr. was a Galveston police officer and a detective before joining the Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
Deputy Meyer had been with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Meyer gave the Galveston County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1931, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 54. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joseph was 54. 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. Joseph had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 22 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%. Fridays: 15.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Galveston County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% 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
Galveston County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Galveston County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
