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Incident
City Marshal Clint Early arrested L.T. Barnett on a warrant out of Wichita Falls, charging Barnett with forgery by check in the amount of $800.00. Marshal Early left Bellevue about noon with Barnett to take him to Henrietta, the county seat of Clay County. Marshal Early's daughter reported him missing that night when he did not return home. Early's body was found about 9:00 a.m. the next morning in a dry creek bed north of Henrietta. He had been shot twice. His pistol was missing.
Barnett was charged and tried in Clay County for murder. He was sentenced to fifty years in prison. However, in 1966, Barnett was given a full pardon. Marshal Early had served as the Constable of Precinct 1 in Denton County from 1926 to 1928. The City of Bellevue no longer has a police department. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried in the Bellevue City Cemetery.
Barnett was charged and tried in Clay County for murder. He was sentenced to fifty years in prison. However, in 1966, Barnett was given a full pardon.
Marshal Early had served as the Constable of Precinct 1 in Denton County from 1926 to 1928. The City of Bellevue no longer has a police department. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried in the Bellevue City Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Early gave the Bellevue City Marshal's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bellevue community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Early.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dewitt is the only officer of Bellevue City Marshal's Office remembered here.
Dewitt is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Dewitt is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dewitt 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 1946, 4 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dewitt was 67. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Dewitt had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Dewitt was 67. 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. Dewitt had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dewitt was 67. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dewitt had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bellevue City Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Bellevue City Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.