Prev
Incident
On Friday, February 19, 1915, Caldwell County Sheriff J. Henry Franks and Lockhart City Marshal John L. Smith were involved in a confrontation at the county courthouse. News accounts report that Smith was formerly a deputy sheriff under Franks, and ran against him for sheriff. Smith reportedly cursed and abused the sheriff who went to his office and got a shotgun. The two men opened fire and Smith was killed. Sheriff Franks was released under a $3,000 bond after an examining trial and the case was referred to the spring grand jury.
On Wednesday, May 12, 1915 at 9:30 p.m. Franks was returning from a motion picture show to his place of residence in the county jail when an unknown assassin hiding beneath a cotton platform at the railway depot fired two shotgun blasts at him. The first missed and struck a telegraph pole, but the second shot struck the sheriff in the back, neck and shoulder with eight buck shot killing him instantly. Other county sheriffs and Texas Rangers came to Lockhart to investigate the assassination. Caldwell County Commissioners’ Court and the Texas Governor posted a reward of $750. Texas Rangers later arrested two men, but the charges were dropped.
John Henry Franks was elected sheriff of Caldwell County on November 3, 1908. He was re-elected on November 8, 1910, November 5, 1912, November 3, 1914 and served until May 12, 1915 when was killed. He was survived by his widow, Daisy Abbot Franks, and a 12-year old daughter, Gladys. Franks was buried in Section K of the Lockhart City Cemetery next to his wife, Daisy.
The killer of Sheriff J. Henry Franks was never apprehended and the case remains unsolved.
Survivors
He was survived by his widow, Daisy Abbot Franks, and a 12-year old daughter, Gladys.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpz6vpdkdsm37n11kddk- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Franks gave the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lockhart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Franks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Caldwell County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 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, 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 1915, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
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 had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
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 had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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. John had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Caldwell County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Caldwell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
