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Incident
Cuero City Marshal John E. Martindale accidentally shot himself when his revolver fell from his holster and struck the hammer, discharging the revolver. The bullet entered his stomach a little to left of his navel, turning upward, passing entirely through his body exiting below his left shoulder blade. Martindale died at 9:30 p.m. that night. The newspaper described him as an energetic young man and a good officer, faultlessly filling his position. He was buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Cuero, Dewitt County.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Martindale served with the Cuero Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cuero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
John is the only officer of Cuero Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1887, 2 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1887, 6 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 142nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1887, 16 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 138th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 25. 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 25. 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 25. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cuero Police Department.
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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
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