United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, December 18, 1868
Age: 19
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 18, 1868
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Inspector William Phelps and Inspector George Hammonds were shot and killed in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, by a group of bandits that attacked the United States Customs House at the mouth of the Rio Grande River.
The bandits had crossed into the United States from Mexico and encountered the acting deputy collector in front of the Customs House. A struggle ensued in which the deputy collector was knocked unconscious. The subjects then entered the Customs House and, without speaking, opened fire on Inspector Phelps, killing him as he sat in a chair.
After raiding the Customs House the bandits went to a nearby home and attempted to lure out the homeowner, but were refused entry to the home. Inspector Phelps, who had heard the gunfire, as the bandits left. When he learned that the homeowner did not have any weapons he attempted to leave to obtain assistance, but the bandits ambushed him and shot him in both legs. He tried to crawl back to the house but was grabbed by the bandits and shot and stabbed repeatedly.
The groups of bandits fled back into Mexico while being chased by citizens.
Inspector Phelps was only 19 years old and was reportedly from West Virginia. Customs officers from the United States and Mexico attended the funeral. Both men were buried locally but the grave sites have not been located.