Deputy City Marshal Levi Neal, aged 49, was shot and killed on February 24, 1900, while escorting a man to jail in Bryan, Texas. Neal had arrested the man, and while they were walking towards the jail, the man pulled out a pistol from under his coat and shot Neal. Neal is recognized as one of the early African American law enforcement officers to be killed in the line of duty in Texas.
Neal had been in law enforcement for about 20 years and had previously survived a shootout on May 15,
1885, that took the life of Bryan deputy city marshal Levin P. Smith, Jr. On December 2, 1888, Neal was with Bryan City Marshal M. M. Wilcox when he was killed attempting to serve a warrant. The 53-year-old subject who murdered Wilcox was sentenced to life in prison and died in prison on May 17, 1904.
Neal was buried in an unmarked grave in the Bryan City Cemetery, and his grave site could not be located. However, a marker commemorating his service was later erected. Neal's headstone was placed in 2000 to replace the wooden marker that had been destroyed by time and the elements.
The man who shot Neal was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment. This case marked a significant moment in the history of law enforcement in Texas, as Neal is believed to be the first African American law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in the state.
Neal's sacrifice and service have been honored over the years, with efforts to ensure that he is not forgotten. In 2000, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas worked with local officers and businesses to get a monument donated and hold a memorial service 100 years after his death. Local dignitaries spoke, and an Honor Guard and police bagpipes were present to pay tribute to Neal.
Neal's legacy continues to be remembered and respected, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the importance of their contributions to society.
