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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rube Mattox was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject accused of assault.
Deputy Maddox and a posse located the subject four miles south of Winnsboro. When Deputy Mattox attempted to arrest the man, he was shot and killed by the subject's father. The posse scattered, and Deputy Mattox's body was not discovered until the next day.
The suspect was indicted by the grand jury and tried for murder but was found not guilty.
Deputy Mattox was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Mattox was survived by his wife and six 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 Mattox served with the Wood County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Quitman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mattox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wood County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Reuben is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Reuben 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 1900, 1 officer at Wood County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1900, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Reuben was 52. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Wood County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 50; the middle age was 35.
Reuben was 52. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Reuben was 52. 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.
Reuben was 52. 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 40% of these deaths at Wood County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Wood County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 20% 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
Wood County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Reuben among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wood County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
