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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Reeves was shot and killed when asking a subject to leave a dance in Malakoff.
Around 1:15 a.m., Deputy Reeves asked the subject to leave the building. Without warning, the subject pulled a pistol and shot Deputy Sheriff Reeves in the head, killing him instantly. The subject left the scene of the shooting but returned a short time later and surrendered to the Henderson County Constable.
While being transported to the county jail in Athens, the car was intercepted by a group of men. The constable was pulled out of the car, and two of the men shot the subject seven times, killing him instantly. Neither the constable nor the man driving the vehicle was injured by the gunfire. The identity of the men who shot the subject was not known to the constable or the driver.
Deputy Reeves was survived by his wife and three small children.
Survivors
Deputy Reeves was survived by his wife and three small 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 Reeves served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reeves.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henderson County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 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 1928, 1 officer at Henderson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 2007, with 2.
In 1928, 19 officers in TX were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 33. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Henderson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 61; the middle age was 58.
John was 33. 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 33. 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 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Henderson County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Henderson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Henderson County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Henderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
