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Sam Abbott Mosley
Incident
Around 10:30 p.m., Deputy Constable Sam Abbott Mosley was waylaid and shot with a load of buckshot near the Fort Worth and Denver railroad track east of Wichita Falls. Seven buckshot struck his body and Mosley returned fire with his pistol before dying. On September 2, 1898, Wichita County Sheriff Lee McMurty and Constable Tom Pickett arrested ex-deputy marshal Josh Cook and placed him in jail charged with complicity in the assassination of Deputy Constable Mosley. During the examining trial of Josh Cook it was discovered that Dorsey Wilson, reportedly a local gambler, was the principal suspect. He was in the courtroom at the time and was immediately arrested.
Josh Cook and Dorsey Wilson were indicted by the Grand Jury for the murder. Josh Cook was convicted at Wise County of complicity in the murder of Deputy Constable Mosley and given 5 years in prison even though he was not present at the shooting. Dorsey Wilson was tried for the actual murder, but he was acquitted.
At this time there is no personal information about Mosley. His name was also reported as Sam Abbott, Mosely and Moseley. He was reported to have previously been a Wichita County deputy sheriff and assisted Texas Rangers in the arrest of one of the Joe Beckham gang.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Constable Mosley served with the Wichita County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sam is the only officer of Wichita County Constable's Office - Precinct 1 remembered here.
Sam is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Sam is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sam is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 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.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wichita County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.9% 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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