Constable Sam B. Teas

Sam B. Teas

Constable Sam Teas was inadvertently shot and killed by a Caldwell County sheriff's deputy while making an arrest in Dale.

He and three county sheriff's deputies had gone to Dale to serve a warrant on a man who was wanted for arson. The man initially refused to open the door, but then lit a match as if he were about to unlatch the door. One of the deputies observed that the man had a pistol pointed at the officers.

One of the deputies fired a shot at the man before the officers broke down the door. Constable Teas handed one of the deputies his pistol and attempted to handcuff the man, but he became tangled in the bedclothes and fell into the deputy. The impact of the fall caused the deputy to accidentally discharge one of the pistols, which struck Constable Teas in the shoulder and instantly killed him.

The wanted man fled the home but was later arrested and placed in the county jail.

Constable Teas and the deputy were close friends.

Constable Teas was survived by his wife and two children. He was buried in the Lockhart City Cemetery.