Sheriff Abner Leonard Board

Sheriff Abner Leonard Board

Baylor County Sheriff's Office, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, October 21, 1913

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Abner Leonard Board

Former Sheriff A. L. Board was assassinated in 1913 by the brother of a man the sheriff and a deputy killed during a lawful arrest in 1901.

On August 18th, 1901, Arnold Bruce and another man were camped on Wagner Creek in Throckmorton County just over the county line from Baylor County. Bruce was acting irrational and several people went to Seymour in Baylor County for the sheriff. Sheriff Board and a deputy responded back to the area to investigate. The two men were standing while their horses drank from the creek. The lawmen ordered them to surrender and consider themselves under arrest. Bruce ran to a wagon and reached for a gun. Again, he was commanded to surrender, but ignoring the command, he started to raise his gun when the deputy shot and killed him.

On October 21st, 1913, the man's brother arrived in Seymour on the morning train. The man went to the second floor of the First National Bank, where former Sheriff A. L. Board worked selling real estate, and shot him six times, killing him instantly. The man ran down the steps and opened fire on Baylor County Sheriff W. L. Ellis. In the ensuing shootout, the subject was shot two times and killed and the sheriff was seriously wounded. Bruce had a letter on his body addressed to his wife and children to have the people of Seymour ship his body back to Ranger. Although the sheriff survived this shooting incident, on August 6th, 1916, he was shot and killed in the line of duty by a prisoner.

Sheriff Board was survived by his wife and two children. He was buried in the Seymour Cemetery in an unmarked grave. He had served as sheriff from 1884 through 1888 and again from 1900 through 1902.

Bio

  • Age 65
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
  • Offender Shot and killed

ambush, retaliation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 8 Reflections

Sheriff Board,
On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Baylor County.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 21, 2023

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