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Incident
Chief Deputy Nathan Flippin was shot and killed when he and the sheriff were ambushed by two suspects they were searching for.
The men were wanted for murder, arson, and horse theft. When the suspects ambushed the officers they shot and killed Chief Deputy Flippin and shot and beat the sheriff, who eventually recovered. The suspects were hunted down, beaten and burned to death by an angry mob of citizens.
Chief Deputy Flippin had served with the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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.
Chief Deputy Flippin gave the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sulphur Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Flippin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nathan is the only officer of Hopkins County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Nathan is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Nathan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nathan 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 1915, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nathan was 33. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Nathan had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Nathan was 33. 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. Nathan had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nathan was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nathan had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hopkins County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hopkins County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.