Reagan County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, Texas
End of Watch Friday, November 12, 1926
Add to My HeroesGeorge A. Hays
Constable George Hays was shot and killed by a man whom he had ejected from a dance at a Santa Rita Hotel, in Best, earlier in the night. The subject returned to the hotel and shot Constable Hays twice in the head with a .45 caliber pistol.
The man then shot two bystanders, killing one of them, before fleeing the scene. He committed suicide two days later.
Constable Hays served for 3 months before he was killed. He was previously a general foreman for about 20 years on numerous West Texas ranches. He was survived by his wife and one son. He was buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in San Angelo. Constable Hays was appointed constable for Precinct 5 on August 9th, 1926, and elected to the position on November 2, 1926. The position of constable no longer exists in Reagan County.
Bio
- Age 58
- Tour 3 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 5 ReflectionsMy wife (George Hays' grand-daughter) and I just visited Sheriff Jeff Garner in Reagan County. Jeff placed a plaque in the lobby in remembrance of George Hays and his sacrifice. We took the Colt SAA that George carried that night. My wife and Sheriff Garner were photographed with it for a story to come out in the local Newspaper.
Sgt James R Lawrence
grandson in law
August 9, 2020
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