J. Perry Landrum, a 45-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity, served as the elected constable for Jefferson County's Precinct 4 in Texas. On May 17, 1907, Landrum was fatally shot while riding his horse to work in Odelia, TX. The man who killed him, Tom Jackson, was someone Landrum had previously arrested for riding a train without a ticket. Jackson had hidden in the bushes along the roadway and ambushed Landrum, shooting him in the chest with a shotgun.
Jackson turned himself in after the shooting and claimed self-defense. However, a grand jury initially indicted him on a murder charge. Eventually, the charge was reduced to manslaughter, and Jackson pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to two years in the state penitentiary but was released after serving only six months.
Landrum's death was a tragic end to his short tenure as constable, having served in the position for only three months. His dedication to his duties and his previous service as a deputy constable were remembered by those who knew him. Landrum was also the postmaster for the Jefferson County sawmill town of Odelia.
The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the early 20th century and the challenges of the justice system at the time. Despite the reduction in charges and the relatively short sentence for Jackson, the case remains a poignant reminder of the risks associated with serving in law enforcement.
