Constable Abraham Obadiah Hamon Jr., 48
Gonzales County Constable's Office Precinct 7
EOW: Tuesday, September 7, 1943
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Constable Hamon was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for beating his girlfriend. The victim had gone to Constable Hamon's home and spoke to his wife about the incident. Warrants were issued for the man's arrest.
The suspect coincidentally lived on Constable Hamon's farm. Constable Hamon, accompanied by his won, drove to the man's home to serve the warrant. When they arrived at the home they observed the man sitting on the porch, holding a shotgun. Words were exchanged between the two men and as Constable Hamon exited his vehicle the suspect opened fire with the shotgun, striking him in the left hand and wrist. Constable Hamon returned fire before retreating into a nearby field.
The suspect chased Constable Hamon into the field as the constable's son went for help. In an attempt to hid from the man, the constable laid down in the weeds. When the suspect located him he shot him in the neck and head with a pistol.
When the son returned with help they located Constable Hamon's body. The suspect was apprehended a short time later. The man was convicted of Constable Hamon's murder and executed on March 4, 1945.
Constable Hamon was survived by his wife and 11 children.
Night Watchman John Samuel Tate Sr.
Gonzales Police Department
EOW: Thursday, January 2, 1930
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Night Watchman Sam Tate, 74, was shot and killed by a Gonzales County sheriff's deputy who was under the influence of alcohol.
Watchman Tate was making his rounds in the downtown business district and had entered an alley behind a store. As he checked the alley the deputy suddenly yelled "stick 'em up" and then opened fire. As Watchman Tate fell to the ground he drew his weapon and returned fire, mortally wounding the deputy.
Both men made statements before dying. The deputy claimed that he had surprised burglars, who had shot Watchman Tate. Watchman Tate stated that the deputy was drunk, grabbed his hand, and then shot him.
Watchman Tate died shortly after midnight.
Watchman Tate had served with the Gonzales Police Department in several capacities for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Constable William Collins "Carl" Brown
Gonzales County Constable's Office Precinct 7
EOW: Sunday, August 18, 1912
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Constable Brown was stabbed to death by a prisoner whom he and a county's sheriff's deputy were walking to jail in Harwood. As the three paused for a moment the suspect suddenly pulled out a large knife and stabbed Constable Brown in the side, causing sever damage to his right lung. He also cut the deputy on the wrist.
Because of the large crowd standing nearby, neither officer drew their weapon. The deputy, with the assistance of bystanders, was able to subdue the suspect and place him in jail.
Constable Brown had served as the elected constable of Precinct 7 for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and eight children. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Gonzales County.
Constable Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Tomlinson
Gonzales County Constable's Office Precinct 3
EOW: Saturday, December 17, 1910
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Constable Jeff Tomlinson was investigating a party of drunks shooting up the town. Witnesses stated they heard 2 shots, followed by 5 more. Constable Tomlinson was found dead. He was shot twice, just below the heart.
Sheriff Johnson was called to the location and Eugene Bowers, a young barber, was arrested and charged with the constable's murder. He was transported to the Gonzales County Jail.
According to State Election Records, Gonzales County Precinct #3 Constable Thomas Jefferson (Jeff) Tomlinson had been elected on November 3, 1896. He took office on January 1, 1897 and served in that capacity until his death on December 17, 1910.
Constable Tomlinson was survived by his wife, Maggie Glover Tomlinson, and six children.
Sheriff Richard M. Glover
Gonzales County Sheriff's Office
EOW: Friday, June 14, 1901
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Posseman Henry J. Schnabel
Gonzales County Sheriff's Office
EOW: Friday, June 14, 1901
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sheriff Richard Glover, 39, and Posseman Henry Schnabel were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for murdering Karnes County Sheriff W.T. Morris two days earlier. The suspect, Gregorio Cortez, killed Sheriff Glover and in the ensuing gun battle, Posseman Schnabel also was killed. Cortez was arrested but was later pardoned by the governor of Texas.
Sheriff Glover was serving his second term as Sheriff when he was killed. He had been with the Gonzales County Sheriff's Department for at least seven years. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Posseman Schnabel was survived by his wife and several children. He was buried in Belmont Cemetery.
Deputy Sheriff Robert R. Coleman
Gonzales County Sheriff's Office
EOW: Wednesday, November 4, 1896
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Several months earlier, Deputy Coleman, 38, had arrested Claud Rhodes for gambling or permitting gambling in his house. Rhodes had cursed the deputy and bad blood existed between the deputy and the Rhodes family. The sheriff had requested that Deputy Coleman maintain the peace on Election Day in the community of Waelder. Coleman was seen arresting at least one man and carrying him to jail. Ed Rhodes started questioning Coleman’s authority to make an arrest, and Coleman warned him that he would be arrested if he created a disturbance. Later Ed Rhodes did just that, and caused Deputy Coleman to order him again to be quiet or face arrest. Bill Rhodes, Claud’s father and Ed’s brother, started cursing Deputy Coleman and challenging his authority. Deputy Coleman drew his pistol and knocked Bill Rhodes to the ground. The family took Bill Rhodes into a store, and his son, Claud, furnished him with a pistol. Bill Rhodes charged the deputy and both men starting firing until their pistols were emptied, and then they struck each other with the empty weapons. Ed Rhodes then struck Deputy Coleman in the head with a billiard cue, and another brother named Yearby tried to stab the deputy. Coleman died the next day from two bullet wounds. Bill Rhodes lived another week and died from his wounds.
Claud, Yearby and Ed Rhodes were indicted for the murder of Coleman. The charges against Claud Rhodes were dismissed and it is unknown if Yearby Rhodes was ever tried. Ed Rhodes was tried, convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. He appealed and the case was reversed and remanded for a new trial. It is unknown at this time if he was ever retried.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters; his youngest daughter was born after his death.
Deputy Sheriff Albert Little
Gonzales County Sheriff's Office
EOW: Wednesday, February 8, 1888
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Deputy Little, 34, succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest a man on a warrant for theft. He had gone to the man's home and knocked on the door of the cabin. When the man asked who it was Deputy Little responded that he was an officer. The suspect inside immediately fired three rounds through the door, striking Deputy Little in the abdomen once.
A member of Deputy Little's posse carried him to a nearby home and summoned a doctor.
A county constable led a posse back to the home and forced entry into the cabin. The suspect opened fire on the constable, who returned fire and mortally wounded the suspect.
Deputy Little was survived by his wife.
