Franklin County, Texas

Franklin County Courthouse in Mount Vernon, Texas

Franklin County, Texas

Franklin County was erected and established in 1875, four decades after the independence of Texas, from land ceded by neighboring Titus County. Although the origin of the county's name is not recorded, it is generally believed to have been named after Judge Benjamin C. Franklin, the first appointed justice in the Republic of Texas.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon I.S.D., Franklin County Water District, and Winnsboro.

FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN MOUNT VERNON

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN MOUNT VERNON

FRANKLIN COUNTY CONSTABLES, PRECINCTS 1-6

Bobby Max Biggerstaff

Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, June 19, 1993

Chief Deputy Bobby Biggerstaff was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver at 90 mph. Chief Deputy Biggerstaff was en route to Winfield, Texas to assist the Titus County Sheriff's Office with a fight call.

The drunk driver was also killed in the crash.

Chief Deputy Biggerstaff had served with the agency for 29 years. Chief Deputy Biggerstaff was the state of Texas' youngest sheriff elected in 1968 at the age of 23. He is survived by his wife (also a deputy sheriff), two daughters, three stepchildren, brother, sister, parents, and granddaughter.

Bio

Age 48

Tour 29 years

Badge 201

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Killed

William Tedder

Franklin County Constable's Office - Precinct 3, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, December 3, 1892

Constable Tedder was shot and killed while attempting to settle a rent dispute.

Constable Tedder and a property owner went to the residence of a tenant regarding nonpayment of rent. While at the residence, the tenant prepared coffee and then went to a neighbor's house on the pretense of borrowing coffee cups, but instead returned with a Winchester and shot Constable Tedder, killing him.

The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Constable Tedder had served with the Franklin County Constable's Office - Precinct 3 for three weeks.

Bio

Age 25

Tour 3 weeks

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire

Weapon Rifle

Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Robert Morgan

Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, April 5, 1879

Deputy Robert Morgan was shot and killed as prisoners attempted to escape from the county jail.

Deputy Morgan relieved the Sheriff so he could go to meal. After taking his post, six men staged a jail break to free a prisoner. Deputy Morgan was shot and killed in a gun battle with the suspects. Deputy Morgan was able to wound one of the suspects.

All the suspects were apprehended. They were all charged with burglary and two were charged with murder.

Deputy Morgan is purported to have the shortest service record of any U.S. law enforcement officer, about 10 minutes. He was deputized by the sheriff just before the sheriff left to take his meal. The friends of the man that was being broken out of jail apparently were watching and attacked immediately after the Sheriff left.

Bio

Age 24

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Apprehended.