Deputy Sheriff Rayburn L. Shipp
Hunt County Sheriff's Office
Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 18, 1972

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, July 18, 1972
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 25 years

Deputy 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.

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.