Prev
Larkin Secrest Hope
Incident
Constable Larkin Hope was shot and killed while standing in front of a store.
The assassin was standing in the alley between the store and the butcher shop; there were two loud, sharp shots, an intermission, and three shots from the pistol of the officer as he lay in the gutter just outside the sidewalk. The assassin had his horse hitched in the alley - which runs from street to street - where he reloaded his gun, mounted the horse, started west, rode north, turned, and crossed the bridge on the east side of town.
Constable Hope was shot in the left side, hip, and abdomen, and when friends came up and asked him who shot him, he endeavored to answer but was unable to articulate. He was carried into the drug store of Byars & Byars, his wounds dressed and every means used to restore him, but he succumbed to his wounds within half an hour of the shooting.
A sheriff and marshal were on the scene immediately after the shooting and set out to catch the assassin, but a suspect was never apprehended.
Constable Hope had served with the Colorado County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 for three years.
He is buried in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery, Columbus, Colorado County, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr0yvf28zah3sx6fhcjy- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Larkin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Hope gave the Colorado County Constable's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Larkin is the only officer of Colorado County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 remembered here.
Larkin is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Larkin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larkin 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, 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
Larkin 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. Larkin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Larkin 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. Larkin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larkin was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larkin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Colorado County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Colorado County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 are honored on badge.nw.