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Incident
Deputy Morris approached a crowd of drunken men in front of Andy Harper's Saloon in Lindale. He attempted to get two of the men to quit creating a disturbance. Three brothers, Jesse Starnes, Pleasant Starnes and Warren Starnes, and Bob Billips [aka: Billups] were in the crowd. Billips and one of the Starnes brothers told Deputy Morris he could not arrest them. Pleasant Starnes then hit Deputy Morris in the head with some object. Morris was then able to cut Pleasant Starnes with a knife. Deputy Morris was then shot twice in the back and once in the foot with a pistol. Morris died from the gunshot wounds and blows to the head. All four suspects were indicted for murder. Jesse Starnes was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to five years in prison. Pleasant Starnes was found not guilty by a jury. The charges against Warren Starnes were dismissed in January 1884, at the request of the Smith County District Attorney. Bob Billips was never arrested and tried for the murder of Deputy Morris.
Morris was survived by his wife, Sarah, and three children. He is buried in the Morris Cemetery, Smith County, Texas.
Deputy Morris approached a crowd of drunken men in front of Andy Harper's Saloon in Lindale. He attempted to get two of the men to quit creating a disturbance. Three brothers, Jesse Starnes, Pleasant Starnes and Warren Starnes, and Bob Billips [aka: Billups] were in the crowd. Billips and one of the Starnes brothers told Deputy Morris he could not arrest them. Pleasant Starnes then hit Deputy Morris in the head with some object. Morris was then able to cut Pleasant Starnes with a knife. Deputy Morris was then shot twice in the back and once in the foot with a pistol. Morris died from the gunshot wounds and blows to the head. All four suspects were indicted for murder. Jesse Starnes was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to five years in prison. Pleasant Starnes was found not guilty by a jury. The charges against Warren Starnes were dismissed in January 1884, at the request of the Smith County District Attorney. Bob Billips was never arrested and tried for the murder of Deputy Morris.
Morris was survived by his wife, Sarah, and three children. He is buried in the Morris Cemetery, Smith County, Texas.
Survivors
Morris was survived by his wife, Sarah, and three children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Morris gave the Smith County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
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.
Jourden is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jourden is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jourden 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 1881, 1 officer at Smith County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1851, with 2.
In 1881, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jourden was 30. 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. Jourden had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Jourden 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. Jourden had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jourden 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. Jourden had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jourden was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jourden had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 60%.
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% 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 handgun, in 20% 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.
His people
Smith County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Jourden among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
