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John E. Covert
Incident
Constable John Covert was shot and killed while raiding an illegal alcohol still.
At approximately 0300 hours, Constable Covert, along with two other officers, conducted a raid on an illegal whiskey still. As they approached the still, they saw somewhere between two and four men, and at least one of the men armed with a gun. As one officer was putting one man under arrest, a shot rang out. Constable Covert was struck with a shotgun blast in the upper arm close to his shoulder.
Constable Covert was transported to Baylor Hospital in Dallas where he died the next day from his wound.
The suspects were arrested and taken to Canton and charged with murder.
Constable Covert was survived by a half-brother, a cousin, and an aunt.
Survivors
Constable Covert was survived by a half-brother, a cousin, and an aunt.
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.
Constable Covert served with the Van Zandt County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Salline community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Covert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Van Zandt County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 remembered here.
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 1921, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
John was 38. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 38. 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 was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Van Zandt County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Van Zandt County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.