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Incident
Officers Arp and Speed went to the home of Roger Q. Grace after they had received a report from G.C. McCain that Grace was involved in a hi-jacking.
McCain reported that Grace approached him and several other men and asked if they would help him start his car. When the men arrived at Grace’s car, two men with guns robbed them of $6-$8 and a .45 caliber pistol. Grace disappeared after the robbery and the officers went to his house to investigate. Officer Speed went to the front door and Officer Arp covered the back door. The house was dark and Officer Arp made contact with the suspect's wife, Maudie, but she refused him admittance. When Officer Arp attempted to enter, Maudie shot him in the abdomen. Someone returned fire but no one else was hit. Arp was transported to the hospital.
Roger Grace seized the gun from his wife and fled the scene. Both were arrested but released on a $7,500 bond. Maudie Grace alleged some men had come to her house the night before and threatened her husband for allegedly being in a whiskey robbery. She alleged that she believed that Arp and Speed were the same men. The district attorney filed murder charges on Roger and Maudie Grace. On February 15, 1926 murder charges were dismissed because no witnesses were located.
Although the newspaper reported that Arp would recover, he died from his wounds on January 10, 1924. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana.
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Arp served with the Corsicana Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Corsicana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Arp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Corsicana Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Vess is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Vess is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Vess is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Vess was 25. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Vess was 25. 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.
Vess was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Corsicana Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 66.7% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Corsicana Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Vess among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Corsicana Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
