Henderson County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, Texas
End of Watch: Monday, December 10, 1917
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 10, 1917
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Constable James Hopson was shot and killed as he and the county sheriff attempted to serve a warrant on a man suspected of stealing several firearms and other items during a burglary of a local hardware store.
When the officers arrived at the house on Larkin Street, the sheriff approached from the rear as Constable Hopson approached the front door. As Constable Hopson entered the house, the suspect opened fire, killing him. As the man fled he shot and wounded the sheriff.
The suspect was captured in Corsicana, Texas, nine days later. He was convicted of Constable Hopson's murder and sentenced to life in prison. On July 3rd, 1921, he escaped from Blue Ridge State Prison Farm.
Constable Hopson was survived by his mother and two brothers. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Black Jack Cemetery in rural Henderson County.