Prev
Incident
On December 26, 1884, Emmett Butler, 19, and Hugh McDonald, 22, were drinking and created a disturbance in another town before arriving in Helena. Butler was the son of a wealthy cattleman, William Butler. Butler and McDonald made some disparaging remarks to the former Karnes County Sheriff, I.M. Reisinger. Reisinger was unarmed and left to retrieve a weapon. When McDonald attempted to grab Reisinger, he struck McDonald in the face. Both men pointed guns at one another, but the crowd interfered. Butler and McDonald, still carrying their weapons, continued terrorizing the town.
Sheriff Edgar Leary had been out of town and when he heard of the disturbance, he went in search of Butler and McDonald. At approximately 3:00 p.m., Sheriff Leary found Butler and McDonald drinking at a bar. When Butler saw Sheriff Leary he reached for his Winchester, but was disarmed by Deputy Joe Manning.
Butler was released and walked from the saloon into the street, where he drew a “six-shooter” that was concealed under his coat. Sheriff Leary observed this and started walking toward Butler. Butler fired at the sheriff, striking him near the heart. As the sheriff fell backwards he was heard to say “shoot him, boys, he has just killed me.” Just before dying, Sheriff Leary raised up and fired at Butler but missed. Butler held the crowd off of him by pointing his six-shooter at them. Butler then retrieved his horse and fired another shot into the dead body of Sheriff Leary. He also fired at Deputy Manning, but missed, grazing his coat.
Members of the crowd then fired several shots at Butler as he ran behind a tree. Butler then mounted his horse and as he rode away, he fired at Reisinger. By then the crowd had started firing at Butler as he fled, with Butler being shot in the leg and in the back of the head. Butler rode another 50 feet and fell from his horse. He lived until the next morning then died of his wounds. No one knew who had fired the shot that killed Butler.
Edgar Leary, 34, was survived by his wife, Fannie, a son and a daughter. Sheriff Leary was appointed by Karnes County Commissioners Court on July 14, 1884 to fill the term of Sheriff I.M. Reisinger. Sheriff Leary was elected on November 4, 1884 and served until his death on December 26, 1884. He would be the first of two Karnes County sheriffs to be shot and killed in the line of duty by members or friends of the Butler family. Sheriff Leary is buried in the Helena Cemetery.
Survivors
Edgar Leary, 34, was survived by his wife, Fannie, a son and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr1aknhvzgkwcx3q17sg- 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 Edgar. 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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Leary served with the Karnes County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Karnes City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Karnes County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Edgar is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Edgar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edgar 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 1884, 1 officer at Karnes County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 3.
In 1884, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edgar was 35. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Karnes County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 34.5; the middle age was 29. Edgar had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 2.3 years.
Edgar 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. Edgar had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Edgar 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. Edgar had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edgar was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edgar had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Karnes County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Karnes County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Karnes County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Edgar among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Karnes County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
