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Incident
Deputy Volney Turner was shot and killed as he and several other deputies attempted to serve a warrant on a man for cattle theft.
The posse had gone to the man's home in Van Zandt County to arrest him. When they arrived at the home they found the suspect in his bed. As they attempted to arrest him, the man pulled a handgun from under his pillow and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Turner. The other deputies returned fire. Despite being wounded five times, the suspect was able to flee the scene. He was arrested a short time later.
Deputy Turner also served as a deputy city marshal for Mineola, Texas.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Turner served with the Wood County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Quitman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wood County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Volney is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Volney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Volney 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 1878, 1 officer at Wood County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1878, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1878, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1878, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Volney was 50. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Wood County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 50; the middle age was 35.
Volney was 50. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Volney was 50. 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.
Volney was 50. 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 20% of these deaths at Wood County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 60%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Wood County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wood County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Volney among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wood County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
