Deputy Sheriff Avant Burmeister Coward

Avant Burmeister Coward

Deputy Sheriff Avant Coward was shot and killed on the front lawn of the county jail on Broadway Street in Jourdanton.

Deputy Coward had sent a message to the man earlier in the day, requesting that he come to the jail to answer questions about cattle rustling. The man arrived at the jail with a shotgun and immediately exchanged shots with Deputy Coward. Both men were fatally wounded.

Deputy Coward had served with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, and one granddaughter.