by Andy Sevilla
In a display of brotherhood across the decades, Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies wore mourning bands over their badges from June 7 to June 9, in honor of Deputy John S. Davis’ in-the-line-of-duty death 100 years ago.
Davis, the son of former Hays County Sheriff John S. Davis (1888-1892), was “brutally slain in the line of duty” on June 8, 1913, according to Hays County Sergeant Phillip Taylor.
On Saturday night, June 7, 1913, Davis responded to a disturbance call at a dance near San Marcos where he attempted to quell a quarrel, and ended up cut to pieces.
Before dying hours later, Davis said he had been cut to pieces and that he had shot the man who stabbed him, later identifying him as Sango Ybarra.
Davis died from his injuries at 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 1913.
Three men – Pedro Ortega, Sabas Castillo and Sango Ybarra – were arrested and held in connection to Davis’ death.
A witness at the trial testified that Castillo was holding Davis as Ybarra stabbed and fatally wounded the deputy.
Ortega testified against Castillo and Ybarra during the proceedings.
Ybarra, who was initially convicted and sentenced to death before having his case reversed and remanded, was retried and convicted, once again, and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Castillo, too, was convicted and sentenced to 99 years.
In honor of Davis’ sacrifice and line of duty death, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler directed his deputies to wear mourning bands over their badges from midnight June 7 to midnight June 9.
At 5 a.m. on Saturday, the Hays County Emergency Communications Division called Deputy Davis 10-42 (Out of Service) over the sheriff’s office radio as a dedication to his memory.
