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Incident
Location: New Mexico Weapon: Rifle Offender: Shot and killed
Deputy Harvey Bolin was shot and killed in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, while riding with a posse attempting to apprehend a group of bank robbers. The posse tracked the men to a farmhouse and took positions nearby. The Lamb County Sheriff observed one of the men and called out to him to put up his hands. The suspects then grabbed several weapons and opened fire. Deputy Bolin was struck in the head and killed instantly. A second deputy was seriously injured.
The suspects fled the scene and continued to run from the law. They were responsible for the murders of three other law enforcement officers before one of them was shot and killed, and the others were arrested. The other officers killed were: Sheriff John Moseley of Swisher County, Texas; Chief Deputy Thomas Jones of Lincoln County, New Mexico; and Deputy Joseph Brown of Wise County, Texas.
Deputy Bolin had been in law enforcement for almost 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and ten children.
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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Bolin gave the Lamb County Sheriff's Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Littlefield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bolin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lamb County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Harvey is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Harvey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harvey 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 1932, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harvey 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. Harvey had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Harvey 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. Harvey had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harvey was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harvey had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Lamb County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lamb County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Harvey among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lamb County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
