Sheriff Leonard Edgar Morehead

Sheriff Leonard Edgar Morehead

Brazos County Sheriff's Office, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, March 29, 1924

Add to My Heroes

Leonard Edgar Morehead

Sheriff Leonard Morehead was shot and killed while attending a magic show in Steep Hollow.

He was seated in the back row when a man approached him and fired a shotgun at his head. The shotgun was loaded with nails, screws, and bolts. The suspect, 35, a former mental patient, declared cured and released from a Texas insane asylum 12 years earlier, was adjudged insane and committed to Austin State Hospital.

Sheriff Morehead was elected sheriff of the Brazos County Sheriff's Office on November 5, 1918, and re-elected on November 2, 1920, and November 7, 1922. His wife was appointed to complete his term in office on March 30, 1924, and served until January 1, 1925. She became the second female sheriff in Texas history. When interviewed in 1959, she said one of the things she remembered the most when she was sheriff was pouring out 718 quarts of illegal liquor during prohibition, which took her five hours.

Sheriff Morehead was survived by a child by his first wife, who preceded him in death, and his second wife and two children.

He was buried in the Bryan City Cemetery.

Bio

  • Age 43
  • Tour 6 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Shotgun
  • Offender Committed

EDP, retaliation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 11 Reflections

Sheriff Morehead, your family, the Brazos County Sheriff's Office,
and our community gathered together today at your resting place to remember the 100th Anniversary of your passing.

Thank you for your service, your dedication, your courage, and your sacrifice to keep Brazos County safe.

We will never forget.

Sheriff Wayne Dicky
Brazos County Sheriff's Office

March 29, 2024

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.