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John William Benjamin Adair
Incident
Deputy Adair was stabbed to death while escorting six escapees back to the Hunt County Jail.
As the traveled back to the jail, one of the inmates attempted to escape again. Deputy Adair gave his pistol to a passing citizen and told him to go after the inmate. While Deputy Adair was guarding the remaining prisoners, they attacked him. The suspects cut Deputy Adair's throat and wrist, then they cut him from his shoulder to his waist. Deputy Adair succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Survivors
Deputy Adair had served with the Hunt County Sheriff's Office for two years and was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Jailer Adair gave the Hunt County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hunt County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1886, 1 officer at Hunt County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1886, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 37. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Hunt County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 43.8; the middle age was 37.5. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 37. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 37. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Hunt County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
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 100% of all 6 deaths at Hunt County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Hunt County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hunt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
