In Memoriam
in honor of those who were killed in the line of duty
Deputy sheriff raymond Bradley "BRAD" Jimmerson
Deputy Sheriff Brad Jimmerson was struck and killed by a vehicle on US Highway 259, approximately seven miles north of Nacogdoches, at approximately 6:45 a.m.
He had responded to the area for reports of debris in the roadway. He was fatally struck while attempting to remove the debris.
Deputy Jimmerson had served with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and had served in law enforcement for more than 20 years. He is survived by his fiancee, mother, father, and brother.
In May 2019, US 259 was renamed Deputy Sheriff Raymond Bradley Jimmerson Memorial Highway, and the signs were placed the following November.
End of Watch:
Friday, October 5, 2018
End of Watch:
Friday, May 24, 1996
Sergeant
tom anderson sitton
Sergeant Sitton was shot and killed while serving a warrant on illegal activities.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and charged with capital murder and assault on a peace officer. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Sergeant Sitton had served with the agency for 7 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In May 2019, Highway 21 West was renamed Sergeant Tom Sitton Memorial Highway and the signs were posted the following November.
constable
darrell edward lunsford, sr.
Constable Darrell Lunsford was shot and killed while on a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59 near Garrison.
During the stop, Constable Lunsford found marijuana in the trunk of the suspect’s vehicle. The three suspects then jumped Constable Lunsford and shot and killed him with his own service weapon. The entire incident was videotaped by the video camera in Constable Lunsford’s patrol car. Because of the videotape, the three suspects were arrested, tried, and convicted of his murder.
Constable Lunsford had served with the Nacogdoches County Constable’s Office – Precinct 3 for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
In May 2019, US 59 was renamed Constable Darrell Lunsford Memorial Highway, and the signs were placed that following November.
End of Watch:
Wednesday, January 23, 1991
End of Watch:
Thursday, December 2, 1948
Patrolman
Bennett t. spradley
Patrolman Spradley was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance.
Patrolman Spradley was assigned at East Main Street and North Mound Street to direct traffic during the Nacogdoches Christmas parade on December 2, 1948. After the parade, there was a disturbance at a nearby small clothing shop. Patrolman Spradley was summoned and the man who was causing problems shot Patrolman Spradley with a shotgun. Patrolman Spradley was able to return two rounds, but it did not affect the shooter.
Patrolman Spradley was taken to Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. The shooter was convicted of the murder and was sentenced to three years in prison but was pardoned by the governor after serving only one year.
Patrolman Spradley was due to retire in three weeks at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife.
deputy sheriff john arlington hargis
Deputy Sheriff John Hargis was shot and killed as he and two other deputies investigated reports of a man selling illegal liquor on Shawnee Street. The subject opened fire on the deputies, striking Deputy Hargis. The suspect was arrested the same day by the Nacogdoches police chief.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was pardoned July 15, 1939.
Deputy Hargis was deputized on January 8, 1923 and had served with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office for 5 1/2 years. He was survived by his wife, Vera Booth Hargis, and their five children. Their children’s age ranged from 18 months to 15 years.
End of Watch:
Thursday, August 23, 1928
End of Watch:
Friday, March 28, 1924
Deputy sheriff john w. "Johnnie" martin
sheriff thomas
garrett vaught
On Jan. 4, 1928, Sheriff T. G. Vaught was shot and mortally wounded in a shooting affray with Deputy Sheriff Carl Butler. Sheriff Vaught died on January 6, 1928, and was buried in the Garrison Cemetery in Nacogdoches County.
End of Watch:
Friday, January 6, 1928
End of Watch:
Thursday, May 16, 1918
Deputy sheriff william jackson carnley
Deputy Jackson Carnley was shot and killed when he and the sheriff went to a farm looking for a man who had caused a disturbance at a Red Cross meeting. When the deputies arrived at the farm Deputy Carnley located the suspect hiding in the bushes. The suspect immediately opened fire with a double-barreled shotgun, striking Deputy Carnley in the face. Deputy Carnley was able to fire one shot and the sheriff also returned fire, but did not strike the suspect. Orange Escow fled the scene. During the manhunt, D. Brown, a cousin of Carnley who was deputized, shot and killed Orange’s brother, Alex. Brown was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison. Unknown if Orange Escow was ever prosecuted.
Deputy Carnley was survived by his daughter and had been with the agency for four years. He was buried in the Swift Cemetery in Nacogdoches County.
deputized civilian
norton r. moody
Dave Taylor held a dance at his home in the Woden community in southeast Nacogdoches County. Deputy Sheriff Will Alders deputized a private citizen, Norton R. Moody, to accompany him to maintain the peace. Deputy Alders and the deputized citizen attempted to arrest a man at the party. Dave Taylor told the lawmen not to enter the yard, and if they did they would be killed. Deputy Alders tried to explain that the men inside the house creating a disturbance had to be arrested. As Deputy Alders entered the yard, Dave Taylor pulled a revolver and shot Alders in the breast. Deputy Alders shot Dave Taylor two times, killing him. Moody went to aid Alders but was shot and instantly killed by Dave Taylor’s brother, Farmer (also reported as Palmer) Taylor. Farmer Taylor fled the scene but was arrested and jailed. In April 1907, Farmer Taylor was tried in Nacogdoches County and found not guilty.
The newspaper reported that Moody was buried at the cemetery at Pea Ridge. Unable to locate the cemetery or the place of burial. He was survived by his wife, Cora Moody, and children Azzie, Elsie, Norman, Allen, Dave and Jesse.
End of Watch:
Saturday, March 31, 1906
End of Watch:
Tuesday, December 19, 1871
constable john birdwell
On December 14, 1871, two Texas state policemen, Columbus Hazlett and William Grayson, attended a justice of the peace court session in the Linn Flat community. Apparently in disagreement with some action by the court, they caused a disturbance and threatened to shoot one of the lawyers. Justice Dawson charged them with contempt. An arrest warrant was issued, and Dawson gave it to Constable John Birdwell to execute. Constable Birdwell summoned a man named David W. Harvell to assist him in the arrest of the two state policemen. The constable then located Hazlett nearby and arrested him. Hazlett offered no resistance, and on Birdwell’s command called to Grayson in a nearby store.
When Grayson drew near, Hazlett told him, “I am a prisoner.” Grayson said, “Die before you surrender.” Deputized Citizen Harvell then demanded Hazlett hand over his gun. Instead, Hazlett drew his weapon and shot Harvell in the chest. But Harvell did not go down. He staggered through a nearby store door, picked up a shotgun, and fired the first barrel into Hazlett’s face. Hazlett was hit by only a few pellets, but the second barrel discharged in the direction of Grayson, wounding him. Hazlett and Grayson returned fire, twice hitting Harvell, who dropped dead on the store floor. Constable Birdwell never had a chance to draw his weapon, and was looking down the barrels of the state policemen’s guns when they mounted their horses and rode off.
On December 19, 1871, Constable John Birdwell answered a knock on his door in Linn Flat and was shot dead. Arrest warrants were issued for Grayson and Hazlett.
About a week later Lt. Thomas Williams, a respected member of the state police, rode into Linn Flat with Grayson and Hazlett. Lt. Williams negotiated with Sheriff Orton for several days over the arrest and confinement of the two state policemen. No settlement was reached, and Williams rode away one night with his two prisoners. Soon after, the head of the state police returned to surrender Hazlett and Grayson to the sheriff.
Grayson was convicted and sent to prison for life. Hazlett escaped from jail before his trial, fled to Arkansas, and was killed by bounty hunters.
Constable John Birdwell, 59, was survived by his wife and 10 children. David W. Harvell, 29, was survived by his wife and 3 children. The place of burial for both men has not been located.
deputized civilian
David W. Harvell
On December 14, 1871, two Texas state policemen, Columbus Hazlett and William Grayson, attended a justice of the peace court session in the Linn Flat community. Apparently in disagreement with some action by the court, they caused a disturbance and threatened to shoot one of the lawyers. Justice Dawson charged them with contempt. An arrest warrant was issued, and Dawson gave it to Constable John Birdwell to execute. Constable Birdwell summoned a man named David W. Harvell to assist him in the arrest of the two state policemen. The constable then located Hazlett nearby and arrested him. Hazlett offered no resistance, and on Birdwell’s command called to Grayson in a nearby store.
When Grayson drew near, Hazlett told him, “I am a prisoner.” Grayson said, “Die before you surrender.” Deputized Citizen Harvell then demanded Hazlett hand over his gun. Instead, Hazlett drew his weapon and shot Harvell in the chest. But Harvell did not go down. He staggered through a nearby store door, picked up a shotgun, and fired the first barrel into Hazlett’s face. Hazlett was hit by only a few pellets, but the second barrel discharged in the direction of Grayson, wounding him. Hazlett and Grayson returned fire, twice hitting Harvell, who dropped dead on the store floor. Constable Birdwell never had a chance to draw his weapon, and was looking down the barrels of the state policemen’s guns when they mounted their horses and rode off.
On December 19, 1871, Constable John Birdwell answered a knock on his door in Linn Flat and was shot dead. Arrest warrants were issued for Grayson and Hazlett.
About a week later Lt. Thomas Williams, a respected member of the state police, rode into Linn Flat with Grayson and Hazlett. Lt. Williams negotiated with Sheriff Orton for several days over the arrest and confinement of the two state policemen. No settlement was reached, and Williams rode away one night with his two prisoners. Soon after, the head of the state police returned to surrender Hazlett and Grayson to the sheriff.
Grayson was convicted and sent to prison for life. Hazlett escaped from jail before his trial, fled to Arkansas, and was killed by bounty hunters.
Constable John Birdwell, 59, was survived by his wife and 10 children. David W. Harvell, 29, was survived by his wife and 3 children. The place of burial for both men has not been located.
End of Watch:
Thursday, December 14, 1871
