Deputized Civilian Dock McDavid, aged 31, was a male of unknown ethnicity who served with the Bastrop County Constable's Office - Precinct 8 in Texas. On August 8, 1908, McDavid was deputized to assist in the arrest of a subject charged with using abusive language. The arrest took place about five miles from Paige, Texas. The subject was seated between McDavid and the constable in a buggy en route to Paige.
During the journey, the subject made a sudden move to escape and was halfway out
of the buggy when McDavid seized him. The constable, attempting to manage his team of horses, saw the prisoner trying to grab McDavid's pistol. With his free hand, the constable pulled his pistol and shot at the prisoner but inadvertently struck McDavid in the chest. McDavid reportedly cried out, "You've killed me for the man," before staggering and falling against the wagon wheels. He expired a few minutes later.
As the prisoner fled, Constable Dunbar jumped from the buggy and shot him twice, killing him. Constable Dunbar was arrested and placed in the county jail. Dunbar waived an examining trial and was released on a $2,500 bond for the subject's death and $1,000 for the death of McDavid. On January 8, 1910, a jury acquitted Dunbar in the death of the prisoner, and the District Attorney dismissed the case against Dunbar for the death of McDavid.
Dock McDavid had served with the Bastrop County Constable's Office for only one day. He was survived by his wife and four small children. He was buried in the Ridgeway Cemetery in Paige, Bastrop County.
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