Constable Darrell Edward Lunsford, Sr.

Constable Darrell Edward Lunsford, Sr.

Nacogdoches County Constable's Office - Precinct 3, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, January 23, 1991

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Darrell Edward Lunsford, Sr.

Constable Darrell Lunsford was shot and killed while on a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59 near Garrison.

During the stop, Constable Lunsford found marijuana in the trunk of the suspect's vehicle. The three suspects then jumped Constable Lunsford and shot and killed him with his own service weapon. The entire incident was videotaped by the video camera in Constable Lunsford's patrol car. Because of the videotape, the three suspects were arrested, tried, and convicted of his murder.

Constable Lunsford had served with the Nacogdoches County Constable's Office - Precinct 3 for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

In May 2019, US 59 was renamed Constable Darrell Lunsford Memorial Highway, and the signs were placed that following November.

Bio

  • Age 47
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Convicted of murder

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

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Constable Lunsford, i'm sorry for what happened to you that night over 30 years ago, as your murder was absolutely unneccessary. The video of your killing is one that i personally saw a long time ago, and it was one i couldn't watch again if i wanted to at first. There is no justifiable way to defend the cowards who took you away, since they deserve whatever is coming to them, as karma will take its time to reach them and make them pay for what they did. But from what i believe, i think it would've been best to put them down like the dogs they were, as i've seen better animals get put down compared to them, as they were nothing short of evil and cruel. The fact they knew exactly what they were doing and had full intent on taking your life that night is something that gives me chills thinking about. Despite all that however, you've been avenged in death as they were all caught and sentenced, meaning that society is much safer without thugs like them running around causing problems to others. But however, i'd like to say on a different note, that night could've been alot different, had there either been someone else with you that night to help you, or if they took their punishments and went to jail and did their time. But it's all clear and obvious they chose to make a choice that would prove how senseless and unworthy they are as human beings that love to cause death and rip families apart. From what i read and learned about you, is that you were really good at spotting drugs and getting them off the road and streets, which probably explains why you found their drugs in the trunk of their car that night, along with the fact you even found a large supply of them in a U-Haul truck that went to your shop you owned. Speaking of which, i learned you owned an autoshop and worked on cars, and you made some friends there too which says to me that you were well-known and liked by alot of people that met you. It is a busy thing to do, to not only fix people's cars and work on them, but by night you go out and put your life on the line each day knowing how dangerous it is out there, especially in the grand state of Texas which is known to have a very high crime rate. I think judging by what i know, is that you were a good man overall behind the badge and uniform. And i can also tell you were a good father, as you were raising 2 kids at the time of your death, which i'm sure they've grown up and learned about your legacy and story by now, and they learned that their father wasn't just good with mechanics, but also maintaining the law and ensuring public safety of everyone in the precint, which means you really were a protector and guardian for others, as you would be the type to get the job done. I'm sure now you're guarding and protecting your wife, kids, and everyone who knew you, as you're now serving as their guardian angel that ensures they're safe. All in all though, it's sad to say that a good man and good officer was taken away too shortly, as you only spent nearly 10 years in law enforcement, which is in itself an impressive accomplishment, since you managed to keep your city safe for that long, and i personally salute you for that. To add onto the story, another trooper who saw your video only 8 months after you passed used the training he was taught to defend himself, as he too was in a similar situation where he found drugs in the back of a car and got into a gunfight, but he thankfully lived to tell the tale, and he put one of them in the ground. Not only did you make the ultimate sacrifice, but you managed to prevent countless officers from having the same fate as you by learning from your video, which adds further more to how you really are a hero, even in death. And although i myself am not a cop in any way, i do know that some officers don't make it home to their families, which is dissappointing but true, but with what we have now, it's more easier to catch those who are cowardly enough to harm and kill those who serve in blue, just like the same incident with you as you were able to record the men who were vile enough to kill you. From what i can say, is that your death didn't need to happen, and that a lot of things could've been different, and your murder is unexcusable in every aspect of the way. But you can rest in peace knowing that the men who are responsible for taking your life, have gotten what was coming to them as they were all caught and thrown underneath the jail, but we all know what should've really happened. I'm somebody who believes in karma, and karma will catch those who do wrong, especially those who harm and kill police, as karma will successfully reach them and take care of them, as judgement day will come to them once the day comes, and they'll get ripped a new one once they reach the afterlife for their actions. But as of now and today, may you rest in peace knowing that your service is and always will be appreciated, and that the video of your death has saved countless officers from undergoing the same fate as you, which adds further more to how and why you're a hero, even to those who never met you. Rest Well Mr. Lunsford

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

June 18, 2025

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