Deputy Sheriff Willis Glover Champion

Willis Glover Champion

Deputy Sheriff Willis Champion was shot and killed as two prisoners, one of them a convicted cop-killer, attempted to escape from the jail at 8:00 p.m.

The two prisoners smuggled in two pistols and ammunition. When Deputy Champion approached them, they beat him and shot him in the back and knee. A jail orderly had come up the elevator, and when the men threatened to shoot him if he did not help, he quickly went back down the elevator and summoned reinforcements. Responding officers engaged in a shootout, killing one of the prisoners who was awaiting a death sentence.

Deputy Champion succumbed to his to his injuries at Baylor Hospital.

The other prisoner was executed. He was serving 40 years for killing Deputy Thomas Woods on December 21, 1922.

Deputy Champion had served in law enforcement for 16 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and grandchildren.