Deputy Sheriff Rayburn L. Shipp, Hunt County Sheriff's Office, Texas

Deputy Sheriff Rayburn L. Shipp

Hunt County Sheriff's Office, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, July 18, 1972

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Rayburn L. Shipp

Deputy Sheriff Rayburn Shipp was shot and killed with his own service weapon while he and a state trooper transported three prisoners from the Hunt County Jail to the diagnostic unit in Huntsville.

When they arrived at the diagnostic unit, one of the prisoners reached between the front seats and grabbed Deputy Shipp's service revolver. The prisoner then shot Deputy Shipp in the head and shot the trooper in the eye. The trooper returned fire as he exited his patrol car. After reloading his service weapon he held all three prisoners at gunpoint until backup officers arrived.

Two prisoners, both 18, were charged with murder. The prisoner who murdered Deputy Shipp was charged with assault with intent to murder and attempted escape, and sentenced to 25 years and 15 years, respectively.

Deputy Shipp was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Hunt County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.

Bio

Age 61
Tour 6 years
Badge 23
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to 25 years

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Deputy Sheriff Shipp,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 18, 2022