DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to honor the man it honors. J. J.
Pierce. Born at Blum, Texas. You might not know the name, but Crosby County does — and Crosby County doesn't forget.
In January of 1947, J. J. Pierce became Sheriff of Crosby County.
Now, that's a job that asks a lot of a man. It asks patience, and it asks nerve, and on the worst days, it asks everything. Pierce brought to it what the marker calls quiet courage and fearless character.
Not the loud, braggin' kind of courage. The quiet kind. The kind that doesn't announce itself — it just shows up when it's needed.
And it showed up at Ralls, Texas. That's where J. J.
Pierce was killed in the line of duty, while arresting a bootlegger. One moment doing exactly what a sheriff does — enforcing the law, protecting the county he'd sworn to serve. The marker is plain about it, and plain is the right register here.
There's no dressing up what happened at Ralls. A good man was killed doing his job. He left behind eight children.
Eight. You sit with that number for a second. The law he dedicated himself to outlasted him, the way it's supposed to — but the man didn't get to see it.
J. J. Pierce.
Born at Blum. Died at Ralls. Sheriff of Crosby County.
That's not a small life. That's a life that meant something, and this marker makes sure you know it.
What the marker says
Born at Blum, Texas. Became Sheriff of Crosby County in January 1947. Was killed in line of duty while arresting a bootlegger at Ralls, Texas. Dedicated to enforcement of law--a man of quiet courage and fearless character. Father of eight children. Recorded - 1967