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Incident
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Deputy Sheriff and Motor Traffic Officer William A. Gillespie spotted a Chrysler automobile that fit the description of a vehicle wanted in connection with an armed robbery and shoot-out at a Gulf service station earlier that evening in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gillespie gave chase on his police motorcycle and when he attempted to pass the suspect vehicle he was struck head-on by a truck. The suspect vehicle turned out not to be involved in the robbery. Officer Gillespie was transported to a Vernon hospital where he died two days later on March 11, 1927.
Frank [Jack] Carter, 23, who had been wounded in the Wichita Falls shoot-out was arrested several days later in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Carter was also charged with robbery of three service stations in Dallas and sentenced to 99 years in prison for the Dallas robberies. Robbery charges were also filed against Carter in Fort Worth, Tarrant County. Officer Gillespie was survived by his wife Bessie and two daughters. He is buried in the Harrold Cemetery, Wilbarger County, Texas.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Deputy Sheriff and Motor Traffic Officer William A. Gillespie spotted a Chrysler automobile that fit the description of a vehicle wanted in connection with an armed robbery and shoot-out at a Gulf service station earlier that evening in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gillespie gave chase on his police motorcycle and when he attempted to pass the suspect vehicle he was struck head-on by a truck. The suspect vehicle turned out not to be involved in the robbery. Officer Gillespie was transported to a Vernon hospital where he died two days later on March 11, 1927.
Frank [Jack] Carter, 23, who had been wounded in the Wichita Falls shoot-out was arrested several days later in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Carter was also charged with robbery of three service stations in Dallas and sentenced to 99 years in prison for the Dallas robberies. Robbery charges were also filed against Carter in Fort Worth, Tarrant County.
Officer Gillespie was survived by his wife Bessie and two daughters. He is buried in the Harrold Cemetery, Wilbarger County, Texas.
Survivors
Officer Gillespie was survived by his wife Bessie and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gillespie served with the Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gillespie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1927, 10 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1927, 119 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 42. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 42. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 5.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Fridays: 15.7%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd 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
Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wilbarger County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
