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Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff John W. Parsons succumbed to a gunshot wound when his pistol fell from his pocket, discharging and fatally wounding him at the Griffith Hotel.
He was survived by his wife and son.
Special Deputy Parsons was buried in the Segrest Cemetery in Tyler County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Parsons served with the Tyler County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Woodville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Parsons.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tyler County Sheriff's Office 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, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 2 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1904, 28 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1904, 33 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 118th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 54. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
John was 54. 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.
John was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 18%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Tyler County Sheriff's Office, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tyler County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tyler County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.