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Incident
W. F. Carr was employed as a night convict guard for the Jefferson County convict camp where convicts worked on public roads as a part of their punishment. On Saturday, November 3, 1906, the guards and convicts left the camp to go to work on the roads. Harry Williams, a sailor, was a trusty and the camp cook. Night Guard Carr, who slept during the day, retired to his bed.
Williams slipped into the room and took Carr’s Winchester shotgun and fired a blast into his head. Williams stole Carr's revolver and fled. The guards discovered Carr dead in his bed when they returned that night and alerted area police. Williams was arrested later that night in Beaumont and confessed. On January 24, 1907, Williams was tried and convicted of the murder of W. F. Carr and sentenced to be hanged. He received several reprieves and shortly before his scheduled execution in August of 1907, Governor Campbell commuted his sentence to life in prison based on Williams’ mental incapacity. He was pardoned May 31, 1919.
Very little is known about W. F. Carr. He was between 23-25 years old and was reported to be both a widower with 2 children in Tyler County, and having a wife and 4 children he abandoned in Caldwell County to escape indebtedness. His father, R. M. Carr, took the body back to Lockhart for burial but no records could be located as to where he was buried. It is suspected that he is buried in Bunton Cemetery in Dale, Caldwell County, but no grave site has been located.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Carr served with the Jefferson County Convict Camp.
Thank you for your service to the Beaumont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Carr.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
W. is the only officer of Jefferson County Convict Camp remembered here.
W. is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. 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 1906, 6 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 25. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
W. was 25. 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.
W. was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jefferson County Convict Camp. The weapon recorded was officer's 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 officer's shotgun, in 0.1% 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 officer's shotgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's shotgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
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0 officers from Jefferson County Convict Camp are honored on badge.nw.