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Incident
Deputy John Turman was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man.
Deputy Turman was the proprietor of the Turman Hotel and was in the kitchen when two patrons began arguing in the dining room. One of the two men left, and the remaining man continued to curse and denounce him. Deputy Turman asked the man to leave, and the man agreed but continued cursing. Deputy Turman followed the man outside, where he grabbed onto his arm and told him he was under arrest.
The suspect then threatened to kill the next man who touched him. Deputy Turman enlisted the help of a friend and then again attempted to arrest the man. As Deputy Turman and the friend attempted to grab him, the man opened fire, striking Deputy Turman in the side four times. Deputy Turman returned fire twice but did not hit the suspect.
The suspect was tried for murdering Deputy Turman several times and was eventually sentenced to 3 years in the Texas State Penitentiary for manslaughter. The suspect's brother killed Brown County, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in 1874. A cousin by marriage of the suspect killed Officer Ben Collins in 1906.
Deputy Turman was survived by his wife and ten children.
He was buried in Junction Cemetery in Junction, Texas.
The suspect was tried for murdering Deputy Turman several times and was eventually sentenced to 3 years in the Texas State Penitentiary for manslaughter. The suspect's brother killed Brown County, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in 1874. A cousin by marriage of the suspect killed Officer Ben Collins in 1906.
Survivors
Deputy Turman was survived by his wife and ten children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Turman served with the Kimble County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Junction community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kimble County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 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
John was 40. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 40. 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.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Kimble County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 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
Kimble County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kimble County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.