Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Groesbeck, as we were. Always sat in the same place as many of us did during the morning service. I was there when he had to leave, which was not unusual. Later learned that day, it was his last to attend service. We drove out to the site, I remember walking around, the smell of tear gas, etc was still present. News crews were there also filming. I saw myself on TV later that night, I walked , without knowing it, right behind the news guy while he was being filmed. The doer also shot and killed one of my classmates who was on a tractor on the adjoining farm. Sad sad day in Groesbeck. Harry was well liked by those who knew him.

Jon Cook

June 22, 2022

Harry Dunlap was my uncle and I remember him as being a true Texan, and to a 10 year old boy, the last of the cowboys. When we visited, he would take my brother and I down to the downtown jail. I remember open cells cover a large portion of the first floor. Uncle Harry would lock the two of us in a cell, like outlaws. However, both of us boys were thin and would slip thru the cell bars. And of course we would slip back into cells, while he check his desk for issues.

I remember him always wearing a hat and being tall and strong. I remember his saddle room, where he stored his saddle and guns. I do not remember much of the guns. But the saddle was the most beautiful thing in the world. Uncle Harry would lift me up on the saddle and I was in heaven.

These are memories from 65 to 71 years ago and my memories are such, that I wish I had been able to get to know him better. There were things to know about my uncle. He grew up on a ranch as did my dad. Uncle Harry lived close to where he was born and died. There was a six year difference between the two boys.I 'believe' I am the oldest relative to remember Uncle Harry. My dad was the youngest of seven children. There was a 22 year age difference from his oldest brother. While there may be others, each year there will be less.

Side Note: The family went out to visit the house, where my uncle died. Imagine a small wooden house in bad need of paint and repairs. The lumber was dry, with the ends popping out. I remember the house as grey colored wood. All of the windows were shot out and there were bullet holes everywhere. Also, you could see big holes. the size of the tear cannisters, surprisingly, there were cannisters stuck in the wall. The house was on a slight hill with no trees. My uncle had no covered, and base on remembered hearsay, was not carrying not weapon.

James A. Dunlap
Nephew

January 26, 2022

On that Sunday afternoon, 15 May 1955, I was working at Zeph's gulf station in Groesbeck TX. All of a sudden this oldsmobile pulled into the driveway in one heck of a hurry. I ran out to meet the driver. He said fill it up with Gulf No Nox gasoline and hurry up. It had a long whip antenna on the back. Obvious it was Law Enforcement of some sort. I asked the individual what was going on for them to be in that big of a hurry. He said the Sheriff had been shot by a deranged person and we are going to try and arrest the shooter. Turned out the guy was Captain Clint Peoples of the Texas Rangers. Later head of the Rangers. Anyway after he left out, later on that afternoon, I saw something pull up at Groesbeck Hospital. Turned out to be the deranged individual that had been shot many times by Sheriffs Deputies. They had to get an armored personnel carrier from Fort Hood to get close to the house and place gas gernades inside. The man ran out and the Deputies brought him down. He was still alive when brought to the hospital but did not live long. What an afternoon, I'll never forget it. Really hated that Sheriff Dunlap was killed, he was a very good man.

John Judah
I just knew Sheriff Dunlap

February 6, 2020

I remember my Uncle Harry as I called him and my aunt very well that was definately the good ole days, you don't have jails like that anymore, my mother told me of one time (many other stories however) but this one is great. The lived above the jail my aunt and uncle, my aunt cooked all the meals for the inmates and I'm not talking bologna sandwich with a cookie stuck in the middle of it. I, talking fried chicken, homemade biscuits, jams, you name it, it was real down home southern cooking. I remember one fellow I was told was a heavy drinker and would intentionally get in trouble so he could come back just to eat my aunts cooking! That dreadful day when Harry was shot and killed where he went to just try and talk to that boy whom he knew out of that barn who was taking pot shots off at passer by's with a shot gun, but Uncle Dunlap knew the boy had a mental problems and knew his dad well. Was told as soon as he got from behind the patrol car sat his gun down and said Now look I'm just coming up there to talk to you, that was it. It actually took tanks and such from Fort Hood to get that boy out of that barn, eventually they had to shoot him. I wish Uncle Harry was still around... but I'm sure he still watches over me and checks out whats going on now in the world and realizes it certainly was a simplier time, happier time back then compared to things now. That ole hand radio that they used compared to all this modern technology, I'm sure he's shaking his head... we still have that picture of him sitting at that ham radio taking and dispatching to the other officers.

Sure would be good to have a reunion, no one seems to stay in touch anymore....

Tammy Hunter Whitley
Niece

September 10, 2018

Rest in Peace Sheriff Harry Dunlap. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Limestone County, Texas. Your courage in the face of danger is a testament to your character.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. May the hounds of hell forever pursue his sorry soul. May the flames of hell totally consume his soul!

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 15, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 1, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 58thh anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 1, 2012

I remember Sheriff Dunlap well as I was a teen-ager when he was killed. My daddy was his pastor, and as soon as he got word of the stand-off, we went immediately to the jail where he and his wife lived. I recall sitting for hours outside the jail while my dad sat inside with Mrs. Dunlap, waiting for word. We knew he had been shot, but no one as able to get to him because the nut case kept up his gun fire all afternoon. When they were finally able to get to his body, it was too late, and the entire community of Groesbeck, Texas, went into mourning. He was truly a loved sheriff.

I had a run-in with him one night. A bunch of us teens was joy-riding in my car. We met a car that would not dim its lights, so as we met, I yelled out the window, "Dim your lights." At that moment I realized who it was. OOps!
Sheriff Dunlap u-turned, flipped on his lights and stopped me. Of course, he knew who he was stopping. With my heart in my mouth I watched him amble slowly up to my car, bend down and say, "What did you say?" When I told him, he stood up, thought a minute, and then said, "You are absolutely right. I'm sorry. Be careful."

Anne Waldrip Davis
Just a friend

June 23, 2011

Hi Harry this is your nephew that you never got to meet.I have alot of good things about you all of my life.my dad use to talk of you alot. he would talk of yall when yall was kids growing up in Limestone county and around Groesbeck texas. how much i wish that i could have meet you. but you left good feelings for the people around there cos back in 81 i lived there and when ever people found out that you was my uncle they gave me a warm reception.how i think of you alot a d never got to meet you .all of the family is gone now from that generation and i hope that all of yall are in heaven now and i hope not to long in the furture i will see all of yall in heaven how i wish that you could have meet me im sure that i would have been a better person for it bye uncle Harry rest in peace your nephew Denis Dunlap

Denis Dunlap
nephew

May 27, 2011

on this date you are still remembered, rest easily brother

Deputy
WCSO

June 1, 2008

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE SHERIFF DUNLAP. YOU ARE A HERO.

June 1, 2006

Sheriff Dunlap,
On today, the 52nd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Limestone County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous
Anonymous

June 1, 2006

Although so many years have passes you are now remembered and honored on this site.May you rest in Peace.Thank you for your service.

June 1, 2006