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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jessie English was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two men who had escaped from the Ferguson State Prison Farm.
Deputy English, along with the Houston County sheriff and Grapeland city marshal, had received word the men would be in the area and began searching for them. Deputy English encountered the men along a dirt road at approximately 11:00 p.m. After ordering them to stop three times, one of the men opened fire with a shotgun, striking Deputy English in the head. He died from his wounds approximately 7 hours later.
Both men were apprehended after the shooting. On November 4, 1923, the suspect, 29, who shot Deputy English was sentenced to 99 years in prison. He escaped from Ramsey Prison Farm on May 15, 1932.
Deputy English was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy English was survived by his wife and three 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff English served with the Houston County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Crockett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff English.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Houston County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jesse is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jesse 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 1923, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Jesse was 35. 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.
Jesse was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Houston 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
Houston County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Houston County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
