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Incident
Fine Gilliland was working for a large cattle outfit and got into an argument with a small rancher named Henry Harrison Powe over an unbranded steer. Powe fired his pistol to scare the steer and prevent Gilliland from roping it. Gilliland thought Powe was shooting at him so he shot and wounded Powe. Both men opened fire and Powe was killed. Three days later Deputy Cook and Texas Ranger Jim Putman caught up with Gilliland in the Glass Mountains. Gilliland opened fire with his first shot hitting Cook in the kneecap. Ranger Putman shot Gilliland’s horse as he fled causing him to take cover behind the dead horse. A gun battle ensued until Putman was able to shoot Gilliland in the head and kill him.
Cook’s kneecap was shattered and leg became stiff and straight. He refused to allow doctors to amputate, and instead had his leg broken and bend slightly so he could ride a horse and continue his law enforcement career. Unfortunately he could no longer stand the pain and he died during amputation surgery on July 21, 1918. He was buried in the Nesbitt Cemetery.
Cook was only sixteen years old when he enlisted in the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers under Captain Neal Coldwell’s Company F on February 28, 1874 and served until August 31, 1874. He was one of the youngest men to ever serve in the Frontier Battalion. On September 16, 1876 he reenlisted in Company F and served until March 30, 1879. On April 25, 1889 he joined Company D under the command of Captain Frank Jones at Uvalde and served until November 30, 1889. Then Cook became a deputy sheriff in Brewster County for Sheriff James Gillett. Cook returned to Company D under Captain John R. Hughes at Ysleta on May 24, 1894 and served until November 30th. He reenlisted on March 10, 1896 and served until November 30, 1898 when he was discharged as a First Sergeant. During his breaks in ranger service, Cook also served as a railroad detective, cattle inspector, special ranger and El Paso County deputy sheriff.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Cook gave the Brewster County Sheriff's Office 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Alpine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thalis is the only officer of Brewster County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Thalis is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thalis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thalis 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 1918, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thalis was 60. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Thalis had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thalis was 60. 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. Thalis had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thalis was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thalis had served 24 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%. Sundays: 16.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Brewster County Sheriff'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 52% of all 33,917 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 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Brewster County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.