DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Dawson Richard Murchison was born on February 11, 1887, out in Bastrop County — and if you'd told him then what the end of his story would look like, well. He grew up, married a woman named Mattie B.
Wright, and together they raised five children. A family man, through and through. Starting in 1930, Murchison took up the badge of a state game warden, stationed right here in Kingsville, and he worked that post for eight years.
Eight years of watching over the land and the wildlife of South Texas, doing the kind of unglamorous work most folks never think twice about. Now, spotlighting deer — that's when poachers use a blinding light to freeze an animal in its tracks, making the kill easy, making it unsporting, making it illegal. On December 20, 1938, Murchison and other wardens caught men doing exactly that, out in Jim Wells County.
Caught them in the act. And somewhere in that confrontation, Dawson Richard Murchison was killed on duty. He was doing his job — the job he'd done every day for eight years — on the last day he ever did it.
Five children. A wife named Mattie. A badge worn with enough conviction that he followed it all the way to Jim Wells County and didn't come home.
That marker standing in Kleberg County makes sure nobody forgets his name.
What the marker says
(Feb. 11, 1887-Dec. 20, 1938) Born in Bastrop County. A state game warden 1930-1938; stationed in Kingsville. He was killed on duty in Jim Wells County when he and other wardens caught men "spotlighting" deer. Married Mattie B. Wright, they had 5 children. Recorded - 1968