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Incident
Sheriff John N. McKinley arrested Joseph Pierce with a warrant charging Pierce with assault with intent to commit murder. Sheriff McKinley placed Pierce in the log jail house at Old Canton, in southeast Smith County. Threats were made by relatives and friends of Pierce to rescue him from the custody of the sheriff. The sheriff assembled a posse to guard the jail. During the attack on the jail a shootout and fight with knives and an axe resulted in the death of Deputy Sheriffs David Neil and James Holden. Sheriff McKinley and Posseman Thomas Brock were wounded. A bystander was killed when a bullet went though a door. Among the attackers, Robert Pierce and Isaac Moore were shot and killed, and Peter Crawford was severely wounded but escaped. Robert Pierce was reportedly the attacker who killed the two deputy sheriffs.
Peter Crawford was charged with the murder of Deputy Sheriff Neil and Joseph Pierce was charged with the assault with intent to kill Sheriff McKinley. The records also show that from 1852 to 1857, numerous unsuccessful attempts were made to locate and arrest Peter Crawford and Joseph Pierce.
James Holden was survived by his wife and three children. No cemetery records or the burial location have been located.
Survivors
James Holden was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
175 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Holden gave the Smith County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Tyler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Smith County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1851, 2 officers at Smith County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1851, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1851, 6 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 179th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1851, 13 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 173rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 29. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Smith County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 30; the middle age was 29. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
James was 29. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 29. 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. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 40% of these deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was unknown weapon, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Smith County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
