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Incident
On Saturday, September 8, 1877, Deputy Sheriff Thomas Shaw and an assistant named Howell went to arrest Martin Rodriguez, alias Chequita, in Los Olmos in Brooks County on a warrant for selling stolen hides. Shaw allowed the man’s wife and two children to accompany them in a wagon. Shaw rode in the wagon with the prisoner and his family and tied his horse to the back of the wagon. During the trip Shaw sent Howell to get some horses. The party stopped in Banquette in Nueces County on or about Monday, September 10, 1877. The wife later told Sheriff Thomas Beynon that a group of armed men appeared and stabbed Deputy Shaw to death. The evidence was reported to have pointed to the arrested man who was charged with murder. There was a trial but no record of whether Rodriguez was convicted of the murder.
Deputy Thomas Shaw was about 25 years of age and it is unknown if he was married or had any children. His place of burial is unknown at this time.
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149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Shaw served with the Nueces County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Corpus Christi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1877, 1 officer at Nueces County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1877, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1877, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1877, 38 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 150th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 25. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Nueces County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24.5 and 35; the middle age was 30.
Thomas was 25. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Thomas was 25. 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.
Thomas was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 28.6%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.4% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Nueces County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
