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Incident
A hotel manager had been suffering thefts of linen for two weeks and was watching for suspects around midnight. He called Deputy City Marshal Ben Stokes to arrest two men. Stokes arrested one man and asked Deputy City Marshal Sam Combs to assist him in locating the second man. While searching a neighborhood, they saw a man escorting a woman to her house and walking away. Stokes was tying up his horse as Combs approached the man and asked his identity. The man pulled a large knife and slashed Combs across the throat nearly severing his head. Combs fell the pavement and died. The man fled but a posse later surrounded his house. As Stokes attempted to arrest the man, he allegedly made a movement as if to obtain a weapon and Stokes shot him in the neck. The man survived and denied his guilt, but officers found a large knife with blood on it in his overcoat. Jackson White was tried twice. The first trial ended in a mistrial and he was convicted and sentenced to death in the second trial. No record if White was ever executed.
Sam Combs was born about 1872 in Kentucky and had moved to Orange several years earlier. He was single and was survived by three sisters. He was a painter and worked part time for the police department. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery but no records exist today as to his gravesite.
Survivors
He was single and was survived by three sisters.
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 City Marshal Combs served with the Orange Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Combs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orange Police Department has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1910, 1 officer at Orange Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1902, with 2.
In 1910, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 37. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Orange Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 44.8; the middle age was 41.
Samuel 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.
Samuel 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.
Samuel was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 25% of these deaths at Orange Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 25%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at Orange Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.6% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Orange Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Orange Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
