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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sam Cobb and his brother, Constable Felipe Cobb of the Cameron County Precinct 2 Constable's Office, were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a voting booth in Brownsville.
As he rode his horse to investigate the disturbance a man stepped from an alley, grabbed the horse's bridle, and then shot Deputy Sam Cobb. Constable Felipe Cobb and a Brownsville police officer arrived at the scene of the shooting on foot the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Constable Felipe Cobb. The shooter's brother then ran out of a nearby building and shot Deputy Sam Cobb in the head.
Both brothers fled the scene but were arrested a short time later. One them was able to then escape custody and flee. The other brother was shot and killed by an angry mob who stormed the county jail.
Deputy Sam Cobb was survived by wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Sam Cobb was survived by wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Cobb served with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Olmito community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— 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.
Samuel is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1898, 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 1898, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 35. 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.
Samuel was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Samuel was 35. 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.
Samuel was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 8.3% of these deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at Cameron County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Cameron County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Samuel 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cameron County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
