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Incident
About midnight, Deputy Sheriffs Lee Dicken, Alex Champion, Ernest Garcia and Ray Driuilhat were attempting to stop a light truck, suspected of hauling a load of liquor about four and half miles from Brownsville, near the El Jardin pumping station. The deputies were waiting on the banks of the main canal when the truck appeared on the bridge. The driver was ordered to stop. Two men in the truck started firing on the deputies and Dicken was shot through the right shoulder, left ankle and under the arm. The suspects fled and eluted capture.
Deputy Sheriff Dicken had been engaged in law enforcement the greater part of his life. He had been a Texas Ranger with a long history of service on the border from El Paso to the Brownsville. He was also a member of the Arizona Ranger Force, a government scout and acted in various peace officer capacities. About a year before his death, he returned to Brownsville and was made a Deputy Sheriff.
Lee Dicken was survived by his wife, son, Jim Dicken 15, and daughter, Lillie Dicken, 17, all from San Benito, Texas. He was also survived by a brother, John Dicken. Dicken was buried at the Buena Vista Cemetery in Brownsville.
Survivors
Lee Dicken was survived by his wife, son, Jim Dicken 15, and daughter, Lillie Dicken, 17, all from San Benito, Texas.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dicken served with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Olmito community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dicken.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cameron County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Lee is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee 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 1926, 1 officer at Cameron County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1926, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 58. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Cameron County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 49; the middle age was 36.5.
Lee was 58. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Lee was 58. 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.
Lee was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 33.3% of these deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 4.4% 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 unknown weapon, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cameron County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
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Robert L. Johnson Sep 28, 1859
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Matthew L. Browne Apr 11, 1892
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Santiago A. Brito Aug 21, 1892
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Samuel Cobb Apr 5, 1898
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Henry B. Lawrence Jul 31, 1910
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Encarnacion Cuellar Jul 12, 1915
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Frank Martin, Sr. Nov 25, 1917
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George Ramsey Carpenter Jun 3, 1922
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Andres Reyes Jun 3, 1922
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Lee Dicken Jun 1, 1926
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William Horace Johnson
Jun 9, 1928
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Louis Mackey Chaudoin Feb 19, 1936
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Albert Kingsley Parker
Oct 14, 1945
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cameron County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
