End of Watch: April 18, 2011
On April 18, 2026, we mark the 15th anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Deputy Sherri Katherine Jones of the Bowie County Sheriff’s Department in Texas. Today, we pause to remember her life, her service, and the ultimate sacrifice she made while protecting her community.
Deputy Jones served with the Bowie County Sheriff’s Department for six years, following her time as a Reserve Officer with the Queen City Police Department. At 54 years old, she brought experience, dedication, and a deep sense of duty to her role—qualities that defined her career and the way she served others.
On the afternoon of April 18, 2011, Deputy Jones was carrying out one of the many critical responsibilities entrusted to correctional and law enforcement professionals: the safe transport of an inmate. While in the basement of the Bowie County Courthouse, preparing to move a prisoner from a courtroom to a transport vehicle, she was attacked. The inmate overpowered her and tragically used her service weapon to take her life.
In the moments that followed, the suspect fled in her transport vehicle, crossing into Arkansas before ultimately being apprehended. He was later sentenced to 30 years in prison for her murder.
Deputy Jones’ loss was not only felt within her department, but deeply within her family and community. She is survived by her daughter, three stepsons, her mother, siblings, ten grandchildren, and many extended family members who continue to carry her memory forward. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Wayne Ragsdale, and leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and service.
Fifteen years later, her story remains a solemn reminder of the risks correctional and law enforcement professionals face every day—often in routine moments that can change in an instant. Transport duties, court movements, and inmate handling are all part of the profession, yet they carry inherent dangers that require constant vigilance and courage.
At the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, we honor Deputy Sherri Jones not only for how she died, but for how she lived—serving with commitment, standing in the gap for her community, and embodying the spirit of those who dedicate their lives to this profession.
Her name, her sacrifice, and her legacy will never be forgotten.
Today, and always, we remember Deputy Sherri Katherine Jones.
Taking Care of Our Own