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Incident
C. B. Willingham was the first sheriff of Oldham County when he was elected on January 12, 1881. Sheriff Willingham appointed Henry McCullough as a Constable of Precinct One. On June 1, 1882, Sheriff Willingham asked and received permission to appoint McCullough as a deputy sheriff of Oldham County and as the town marshal of Tascosa. He was paid $25 per month.
On Monday, July 17, 1882, Deputy Sheriff Henry McCullough attempted to arrest Frank “Mexican Frank” Larque (also appears to be spelled Larqus, Larques and Largus) for a gambling violation at the Jenkins and Donnelly Saloon and Dance Hall in Tascosa. Larque was not going to jail, so he didn’t remove his pistol from his holster, but fired the revolver from inside the holster, hitting McCullough in the stomach, which killed him.
Henry McCullough was buried in Tascosa’s Boot Hill Cemetery apparently in an unmarked grave. No personal information is known about McCullough who had been on the wrong side of the law before becoming a lawman.
The outlaw was quickly captured fleeing to the New Mexico Territory. Frank Larque was convicted on September 12, 1882, and sentenced to 22 years in the state prison.
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144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff McCullough served with the Oldham County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Vega community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry is the only officer of Oldham County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Henry is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1882, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1882, 51 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Henry had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oldham County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
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