Texas Rangers, Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 10, 1885
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 10 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 10, 1885
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Private Benjamin Warren was shot and killed in Sweetwater, Texas, in an attempt to keep him from testifying in a trial involving fence cutting.
Private Warren had obtained warrants against several men for cutting barbed wire fences around ranches so they could graze their cattle on property belonging to other cattlemen.
As Private Warren was sitting in a hotel office, talking with friends, a shot was fired from outside. The shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly.
Three men who had originally been charged with fence cutting were charged with Private Warren's murder. Two of the men were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. However, one of the convictions was overturned. It is not known if the third suspect was ever charged.
Private Warren had served as a Texas Ranger for Company E, Frontier Battalion, for 10 months. He was survived by his expectant wife and eight children. His ninth child was born eight months after his murder.