Louis Weldon Moon was born in Venus, Texas, May 10, 1924. He was the son of Hugh L. Moon and Bessie Ann Baxter Moon. His father was a night-watchman for the city of Alvarado for many years. As a child this is where Louis became interested in law enforcement. He had four brothers: John Gilbert Moon, H. L. "Bud" Moon, Ansel Anderson Moon, and Billy Bob Moon. Louis attended Venus schools. He married Mary Frances Hall Moon and had five children; Patsy Ruth Moon, Lanna Sue Moon (both died at birth), Bobby Louis Moon (died in car accident in 1964), Sherry Frances Moon Pope (res. in Alvarado), and Danny Hugh Moon (res. in Burleson).
Louis worked as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Alvarado until November 27, 1943, when he joined the United States Army. He did his training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was then sent overseas to Europe to complete his training. Louis was an assault trooper in Company B 325th Glider Infantry, with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was in three battles and campaigns, Rhineland, Ardennes, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in battle on October 11, 1944, in Holland, also on Christmas Eve 1944 in Belgium.
Louis was an Expert Rifleman and was trained in high explosives. He was sent back to the United States to William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas, to recuperate from his wounds. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army December 13, 1945.
His decorations and citations were as follows:
E.A.M.E. Theater Medal with two Bronze Service Stars
Two Purple Hearts with one Oak Leaf Cluster
American Theater Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
Bronze Star
Operations Ribbon with Three Battle Stars and Clusters
Bronze Star Arrowhead
Victory Medal
Lapel Button and Presidential Citation
After recovering from his wounds, Louis returned to Alvarado, where he went into the construction business. An election was being held for a Special Officer for the city of Alvarado. Louis decided to run and was elected. A few months later, he was hired as Deputy Marshal of Alvarado, and soon after, the Chief of Police. Louis served the city of Alvarado for 21 years. He was then asked to serve as Chief Deputy Sheriff of Johnson County under Sheriff Noel Wofford until 1969. He then served as both Juvenile and Adult Probation Officer until approximately 1971. Along with that position, he was also Civil Defense Director of Johnson County, and had decided to run for the office of Johnsons County Sheriff in the next election.
In late 1972, Louis suffered a massive heart attack while in the 18th District Court. He was rushed by ambulance to the Johnson County Hospital. After an extensive recovery period in the hospital, he returned home. Several weeks later he was diagnosed with emphysema and heart disease. Then he knew his career in law enforcement was over, both Louis and his family were devastated. Louis never recovered. Visists from some of his close friends, such as Paul Busby and Sheriff Wofford always cheered him up.
Louis lost his battle with heart disease and emphysema on December 9, 1985. Corporal Pam Jetsel asked about notable cases he worked on, there were many, but the one that sticks out in my mind is the most heinous crime in Johnson County history. The murders of Robert Brand, his cousin from California, and a young girl from Everman in 1966. Louis took this case personally. We did not know the cousin from California, or the girl from Everman, but Robert had visited our home several times and had stayed the night on Boy Scout outings. Louis worked relentlessly with local, state and federal law-enforcement until the arrest and conviction of Kenneth Allen McDuff and his accomplice Green. |
