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Incident
Sheriff Starks was shot and killed in revenge for the shooting of a suspect in April 1875, almost 18 months earlier. The son of the suspect who had been killed swore revenge on the sheriff for the shooting.
The sheriff had retired from office and was in the process of selling his farm to move. A man came to the farm under the premise he was interested in buying it and then shot Sheriff Starks with a shotgun.
The suspect was arrested and confessed to being hired to murder Sheriff Starks by the son for a fee of $625. The suspect was sentenced to death but committed suicide before being executed.
Sheriff Starks had served as sheriff for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Starks gave the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockwall community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexander is the only officer of Rockwall County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Alexander is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Alexander is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alexander 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 1876, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1876, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alexander was 37. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Alexander had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Alexander was 37. 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. Alexander had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alexander was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alexander had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rockwall County Sheriff's Office. 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 50-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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