Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch: Saturday, May 23, 1936
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 23, 1936
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Died in mental hospital
Deputy Sheriff Joe Trapolino was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to serve a lunacy warrant in the 1200 block of Pease Street.
When the deputies arrived at the home they encountered the subject who was armed with a shotgun. Deputy Trapolino attempted to persuade the man to put the gun down by telling him they were only going to take him to a doctor. The man continued to threaten them as the deputies walked down the driveway. As the deputies drew their weapons and took cover the man shot Deputy Trapolino in the back. The subject was arrested a short time later.
The man was committed at the Austin State Mental Hospital where he died on October 24, 1937.
Deputy Trapolino was a WWI veteran and had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.