Henry B. Lawrence, a 37-year-old male, met a tragic end on July 31, 1910, in Olmito, Texas. He was serving as a Special Deputy for the Cameron County Sheriff's Office at the time of his death. Lawrence was part of a posse that included Texas Rangers Quirl Carnes and Pat Craighead, Constable Earl West, and other law enforcement officers. They were on a mission to apprehend Jacinto Trevino, a murder suspect. The posse had been informed by Trevino's brother, Pablo, that the suspect would be returning to the area and crossing the Rio Grande River.
On the night of the incident, the posse lay in wait near the river crossing. After midnight, they heard a group of men approaching. One of the officers called out for the group to stop, but a fusillade of gunfire erupted. Deputy Lawrence was struck by seven buckshots in the right side of his head and died instantly. Ranger Private Quirl Carnes was also mortally wounded, suffering seven rifle wounds, including one that entered through the back of his head and exited his right eye. Carnes succumbed to his injuries at 9:00 a.m. the following morning.
The next day, the posse discovered the body of the suspect's cousin, who had led them to the ambush site. Authorities believed that the cousin had intentionally led the officers into a trap. Despite their efforts, the suspect, Jacinto Trevino, was never apprehended and managed to disappear into Mexico. The case remained unresolved, with no arrests or further investigations leading to the capture of the suspect.
Deputy Lawrence was buried in the Fraternal Cemetery in Alice, Jim Wells County, Texas, in an unmarked grave next to his parents. His sacrifice and service to the community were honored, but the circumstances surrounding his death left a lasting impact on the law enforcement community. The ambush and subsequent escape of the suspect highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers during that era and the challenges they encountered in pursuing justice.
