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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rufus H. Day, and an assistant, was transporting three prisoners they had arrested in Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). The three prisoners, Henry Smith, a Baptist preacher, and two brothers named Owen had been indicted in Henderson County for horse theft. They were on their way back to Henderson County when the group stopped at a farm house in Van Zandt County, Texas, to spend the night. Smith got possession of Deputy Day's pistol and shot and killed him. The three prisoners escaped, but were soon captured. In May 1883, Henry Smith was tried in Van Zandt County and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Rufus H. Day. In October 1880, Elmer Owen was tried in Henderson County and sentenced to five years in prison for horse theft.
Rufus H. Day was survived by his wife and children. He was buried in the Athens City Cemetery.
Survivors
Day was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Day served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— 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.
Rufus is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus 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 1879, 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 1879, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1879, 37 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1879, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 40. 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.
Rufus was 40. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Rufus was 40. 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.
Rufus was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Henderson County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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 51.7% of all 34,117 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, Rufus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Henderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
