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Incident
At approximately 2:00 a.m, City Marshal John L. Hammond went to the residence of Wilbarger County Sheriff J.T. Conn. The sheriff's residence was on an upper floor of the county courthouse. Marshal Hammond woke Sheriff Conn to pick up an arrest warrant. Sheriff Conn went down to his office by a back stairway. Marshal Hammond accidentally fell 20 feet from the balcony at the head of the main stairway. Hammond lived only a few minutes and did not speak.
As a mark of respect the city council of Vernon issued a resolution regarding the accidental death of City Marshal John L. Hammond. The Knights of Pythias of which he was a member, stated that they will erect and present a residence to the widow.
Hammond was survived by his wife and children. He is buried in Eastview Memorial Park, Vernon, Texas.
Survivors
Hammond was survived by his wife and 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
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Hammond served with the Vernon Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Vernon Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1890, 2 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1890, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1890, 20 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 134th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 18%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Vernon Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Vernon Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
