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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Edward Faust, with a posse that included Henry Gonzalvo Woods, and others, went to the homestead of John Kerlick in DeWitt County, near Yorktown. The posse was sent there to arrest Christopher Kerlick for the stabbing death of Thomas Lockhart in Harris County, which had occurred on September 24, 1869.
When the posse reached the homestead, they were told the wanted person was not there. There are several different accounts as to what started the shooting, but the newspaper accounts stated the posse searched the house and as they were leaving, they were fired upon. The shooting left Deputy Sheriff Edward Faust and Posseman Henry Woods dead and at least one other person wounded.
The next day the Sheriff, with a posse, went back to the Kerlick house and arrested Christopher and William F. Kerlick, and started back to Clinton under guard. The two young men allegedly attempted to escape, and were shot by the guard and both killed. The ironic twist is that Christopher Kerlick was no-billed by the Harris County Grand Jury two days before shooting, but this information was unknown to the lawmen. This communication failure cost the lives of 4 men.
Edward Faust was reported to have been 30 years old and a native of Germany. His place of burial has not been located. It is unknown if he had any surviving family members.
Henry Woods was 53 years of age and a former Captain in the Confederate Army. He was survived by his wife. He is buried in the Woods Cemetery in Yorktown, Dewitt County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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157 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Faust served with the Dewitt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cuero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dewitt County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1869, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1869, 33 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1869, 35 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 30. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Edward was 30. 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.
Edward was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October 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 Dewitt County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, 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 unknown weapon, in 4.4% 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 unknown weapon, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dewitt County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Dewitt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.