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Incident
Location: Oklahoma Incident Date: Friday, February 15, 1918 Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Sentenced to 99 years
Deputy James Coffee succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he stopped a car he suspected of transporting illegal liquor.
Deputy Coffee and a Fargo, Texas, constable had gone to the Oklahoma side of the Red River at the Webb Crossing to stop and arrest bootleggers reported to be bringing whiskey into Oklahoma from Wichita Falls, Texas. Soon after the officers arrived, a car with curtains drawn stopped to pay the toll. Deputy Coffee drew back the curtain and two men in the car opened fire on the officers. Deputy Coffee was shot in the abdomen with a double-barrel sawed off shotgun and fatally wounded.
The shooter, who was out on bond for the killing of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, Undersheriff Grover Fulkerson, was later captured. He confessed to Deputy Coffee's murder and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. The other men in the car were arrested. The shooter's sentence was later reduced to 12 years. He was released in 1925, arrested by Oklahoma officers, and sent to Mcallister Prison to serve his four years for the murder of Grover Fulkerson.
Deputy Coffee was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Coffee was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Coffee served with the Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coffee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
James was 45. 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.
James was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% 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 Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.