John Vaughn was arrested by Officer Herman Youngst for discharging his pistol. After his release, Vaughn and his brother, Newton, met Officer William Weiss and asked him to go with them to speak to Youngst about Vaughn's missing watch and $25. Youngst told Vaughn he did not have the missing items and left. The Vaughns and Officer Weiss started arguing and John Vaughn shot at Weiss three times and fled. Vaughn shot at Officer Henry Lee, and Lee shot and killed him. Vaughn had a .38 caliber pistol and Weiss was shot with .41 caliber. An inquest concluded another officer's shots probably killed Weiss.

Weiss was survived by his wife and two small children.

Submitted by Granna


OFFICER WILLIAM A. (WILLIE) WEISS
BADGE # 17

# 5 KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AS A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER



Houston Police Officer William A. (Willie) Weiss was shot and killed during the performance of his duties on Monday, July 29,1901. The suspect who shot and killed Officer Weiss was also killed in the exchange of gunfire with responding Officers.

William A. Weiss was a native of Houston, Texas, having been born here on March 7, 1870 to Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Weiss. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife and two small children.

Funeral services for this very beloved Officer were held at his residence at 215 LaBranch at 4:00pm on Wednesday, July 31, 1901. The services were under the auspices of the Little Elk Tribe No. 94, the Improved Order of the Red Men and the Maccabees, both organizations who were proud to have Willie Weiss has a member.

The entire night force attended the service. Active Pallbearers were Deputy Chief Henry Thompson, Sergeants J.C. Busey and Charles Williford and Chief Clerk William Kessler. Honorary Pallbearers were Officers Lee, James, Berner, Lahey, Gossett, Patrick, Youngst, Whittington, Newhoff, Higgins, Proctor, Howard, Charlton, Cahill, and Night Clerk Krum. Burial followed at the Glenwood Cemetery on Washington Avenue.

The original marker for Officer Willie Weiss reads as follows:
THERE WAS AN ANGEL CHOIR IN HEAVEN THAT WAS NOT QUITE COMPLETE, SO GOD TOOK OUR DARLING WILLIE TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT.

In 2004, a 100 Club of Houston-Harris County KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY gravemarker was placed at this brave Officer's burial site.


A detail account of this incident is recorded in "Fallen Heroes of the Bayou City".

Willie lived to be 31 years, 4 months and 22 days old.

Submitted by J.B. Haney, Nelson Zoch and Sue Gaines.

John Vaughn was arrested by Officer Herman Youngst for discharging his pistol. After his release, Vaughn and his brother, Newton, met Officer William Weiss and asked him to go with them to speak to Youngst about Vaughn's missing watch and $25. Youngst told Vaughn he did not have the missing items and left. The Vaughns and Officer Weiss started arguing and John Vaughn shot at Weiss three times and fled. Vaughn shot at Officer Henry Lee, and Lee shot and killed him. Vaughn had a .38 caliber pistol and Weiss was shot with .41 caliber. An inquest concluded another officer's shots probably killed Weiss.

Weiss was survived by his wife and two small children.

Submitted by Granna


OFFICER WILLIAM A. (WILLIE) WEISS
BADGE # 17

# 5 KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AS A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER



Houston Police Officer William A. (Willie) Weiss was shot and killed during the performance of his duties on Monday, July 29,1901. The suspect who shot and killed Officer Weiss was also killed in the exchange of gunfire with responding Officers.

William A. Weiss was a native of Houston, Texas, having been born here on March 7, 1870 to Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Weiss. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife and two small children.

Funeral services for this very beloved Officer were held at his residence at 215 LaBranch at 4:00pm on Wednesday, July 31, 1901. The services were under the auspices of the Little Elk Tribe No. 94, the Improved Order of the Red Men and the Maccabees, both organizations who were proud to have Willie Weiss has a member.

The entire night force attended the service. Active Pallbearers were Deputy Chief Henry Thompson, Sergeants J.C. Busey and Charles Williford and Chief Clerk William Kessler. Honorary Pallbearers were Officers Lee, James, Berner, Lahey, Gossett, Patrick, Youngst, Whittington, Newhoff, Higgins, Proctor, Howard, Charlton, Cahill, and Night Clerk Krum. Burial followed at the Glenwood Cemetery on Washington Avenue.

The original marker for Officer Willie Weiss reads as follows:
THERE WAS AN ANGEL CHOIR IN HEAVEN THAT WAS NOT QUITE COMPLETE, SO GOD TOOK OUR DARLING WILLIE TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT.

In 2004, a 100 Club of Houston-Harris County KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY gravemarker was placed at this brave Officer's burial site.


A detail account of this incident is recorded in "Fallen Heroes of the Bayou City".

Willie lived to be 31 years, 4 months and 22 days old.

Submitted by J.B. Haney, Nelson Zoch and Sue Gaines.