NOTE: will change cemetery as soon as the correct one is known.


Tommy Bryant
September 28, 1960 ~ December 20, 2016 (age 56)

Sheriff who investigated 'American Sniper' murder found dead.

"Today is a sad day for the citizens of Erath County, Texas."

ERATH COUNTY (December 20, 2016) – Sheriff Tommy Bryant is gone. The Erath County Sheriff was found dead inside his home of a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound, law enforcement officials reported Tuesday morning.

Bryant, who was first elected to the office of sheriff in 1997 by Erath County voters, has said numerous times in the past that he was grateful to the residents of this county for the chance to serve them. And this year, he was elected to continue holding the seat another four years.

However, just last week, The Flash brought you news of an ongoing TCOLE investigation into the sheriff’s department. And while no one was yet named in that investigation, Bryant himself started the investigation by self-reporting a discrepancy with testing and certifications.

Bryant is survived by his wife, Donnie, and son, Thom Allen, and a host of his law enforcement family.

Erath County Judge Tab Thompson and the County Commissioners are meeting in closed session to discuss the appointment of an interim sheriff for the county.
[courtesy of The Flash Today/Flash Rock Media, LLC © 2016]
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Stephenville – Memorial services for Tommy Bryant, 56, Sheriff of Erath County and a wonderful father and husband, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with The Rev. Curt Norman officiating. Arrangements are by Lacy Funeral Home.

Tommy was born in Granbury, Texas, on September 28, 1960, to Linda and Tommy Bryant, Sr. He later married Donnie (Davenport) on July 17, 1986, in Stephenville, Texas.

He was the sheriff of Erath County for twenty years and was to begin his sixth term as sheriff in January of 2017. Prior to becoming sheriff, he worked at the Stephenville Police Department for eight years, many of those years serving as a motorcycle cop.

He was a member at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stephenville since 1994 and a member of the Stephenville Optimist Club.

Survivors include his wife, Donnie Bryant of Stephenville, Texas; mother, Linda Bryant of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Thomas Allen Bryant of Stephenville, Texas; sister, Tonya Perez of Fort Worth, Texas; and brother, Tony Bryant.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tommy Bryant, Sr.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 595 McIlhaney St., Stephenville, Texas 76401. St. Luke’s is involved in many community outreach programs.
[courtesy of Lacy Funeral Home]