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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Encarnacion Cuellar and Deputy Constable Pablo Falcon were shot and killed when they were ambushed by six men at a dance hall three miles from Brownsville, Texas.
The ambush occurred shortly before midnight. Despite being wounded, Deputy Cuellar was able to return fire and fatally wounded one of the men, who later died after fleeing to Mexico. It is not known if any other suspects were ever arrested and tried.
It is believed that the law officers had arrested some of the men the previous week and were targeted in retaliation for the arrest.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cuellar served with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Olmito community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cuellar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cameron County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Encarnacion is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Encarnacion is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Encarnacion 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 1915, 1 officer at Cameron County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1915, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Encarnacion was 36. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Cameron County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 49; the middle age was 36.5.
Encarnacion was 36. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Encarnacion was 36. 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.
Encarnacion was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 8.3%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cameron County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Encarnacion among them.
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Robert L. Johnson Sep 28, 1859
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Matthew L. Browne Apr 11, 1892
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Santiago A. Brito Aug 21, 1892
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Samuel Cobb Apr 5, 1898
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Henry B. Lawrence Jul 31, 1910
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Encarnacion Cuellar Jul 12, 1915
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Frank Martin, Sr. Nov 25, 1917
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George Ramsey Carpenter Jun 3, 1922
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Andres Reyes Jun 3, 1922
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Lee Dicken Jun 1, 1926
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William Horace Johnson
Jun 9, 1928
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Louis Mackey Chaudoin Feb 19, 1936
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Albert Kingsley Parker
Oct 14, 1945
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cameron County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
