Wharton County Sheriff's Office

In the Line of Duty Deaths

  In Memory Of: 

  Sheriff Hamilton B. Dickson    

Shot and Killed in the line of Duty on February 7, 1894

Elected Sheriff of Wharton County on November 4, 1890

left photo above is of monument at wharton county courthouse--right photo is of  photo scanned of sheriff dickson

above photos of sheriff dickson courthouse memorial -courtesy of  Larry Sandlin

Sheriff Dickson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had earlier murdered Constable Mose Townsend, of the Colorado County Constable's Office, during a jail break. Sheriff Dickson and the sheriff from Colorado County had met up to look for the suspect. As the two sheriffs entered a brushy area the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Sheriff Dickson. Both officers were able to return fire and kill the suspect.

Sheriff Dickson had been Sheriff for four years.

   Deputy Sheriff Harry C. McCormick  

Shot and Killed in the line of Duty on June 26, 1920

Deputized by Wharton County Sheriff Clarence Kemp

photo above is of scanned image of deputy McCormick provided by Ret. Chief Deputy-dallas county terry baker-historical researcher

Deputy McCormick was shot and killed while helping a fellow deputy serve a warrant on a man. The suspect first agreed to go with the officers but then began to resist and was able to gain control of the partner's pistol. At that moment the suspect's brother emerged with a Winchester rifle. As Deputy McCormick began to help his partner the brother shot him in the head, killing him. The two brothers were shot and killed the following week after being surrounded by a posse. Two other men who aided in their original escape were lynched by citizens.

   Deputy / Jailer Henry Ross McCain  

(Do you know Henry Ross McCain~I am interested in posting his picture here)

Date of Death:  Sunday, July 19, 1908

Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 7 yr
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Friday, July 17, 1908
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Deputy Jailer McCain succumbed to stab wounds sustained two days earlier when he was attacked by a prisoner two days earlier. He was able to escape the attack after being stabbed several times. He was then taken by train to St. Joseph Hospital where he died two days later.

The suspect was able to escape the jail but was arrested the day after the attack.

Deputy Jailer McCain had served with the agency for 7 years.

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