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Incident
Sheriff Brooks, and his brother, Eugene Brooks, were leaving the courthouse where they had been attending the trial of W.S. Gibbs. Sheriff Brooks had arrested Gibbs charging him with disturbing the peace. Gibbs had left the courthouse before Sheriff Brooks and his brother. Gibbs went across the street and obtained a rifle from a store. Gibbs stepped out of a doorway and fired at Eugene Brooks, the bullet struck Eugene Brooks in the left arm. Sheriff Brooks, pistol in hand, then ran across the street to make the arrest. As Sheriff Brooks approached the store where Gibbs was hiding, Gibbs fired again. Sheriff Brooks was hit in the chest and fell mortally wounded. He died on July 4.
Sheriff Brooks was single. He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri. In May 1886, family members had the body of Sheriff Brooks moved to Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
On April 24, 1885, Gibbs was shot and killed by Eugene Brooks. In May 1886, Brooks was tried and found not guilty of the murder. On October 19, 1886, Brooks died of pneumonia.
Sheriff Brooks, and his brother, Eugene Brooks, were leaving the courthouse where they had been attending the trial of W.S. Gibbs. Sheriff Brooks had arrested Gibbs charging him with disturbing the peace. Gibbs had left the courthouse before Sheriff Brooks and his brother. Gibbs went across the street and obtained a rifle from a store. Gibbs stepped out of a doorway and fired at Eugene Brooks, the bullet struck Eugene Brooks in the left arm. Sheriff Brooks, pistol in hand, then ran across the street to make the arrest. As Sheriff Brooks approached the store where Gibbs was hiding, Gibbs fired again. Sheriff Brooks was hit in the chest and fell mortally wounded. He died on July 4.
Sheriff Brooks was single. He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri. In May 1886, family members had the body of Sheriff Brooks moved to Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
On April 24, 1885, Gibbs was shot and killed by Eugene Brooks. In May 1886, Brooks was tried and found not guilty of the murder. On October 19, 1886, Brooks died of pneumonia.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother Eugene, and family members in Missouri.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Brooks served with the Wharton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wharton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wharton County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
W. is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. 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 1884, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 38. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. W. had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
W. was 38. 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. W. had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
W. was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. W. had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Wharton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 1.2% 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 rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wharton County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, W. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wharton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
