Memorial

Always Remember...

OFFICER URBY J. THOMPSON

End of Watch: Monday, July 25, 1933

Officer Thompson stopped in front of a small cafe at Second and Washington streets for a cup of coffee. Before entering, he walked over to a parked truck to investigate a disturbance being created by a man in the truck. As he approached, the man shot him in the head, instantly killing the officer.

Officer Hull heard the shot, came to the scene, and arrested 50-year-old Joseph Guy Mitchell.

Policeman's pay was $103.50 per month. The officer's widow (and 4 children) was entitled to half that amount monthly as long as she lived or until she remarried. Officer Thompson was 36 years old. Back to memorial page

SGT. CHARLES MAY GANTZ

End of Watch: Wednesday, August 8, 1923

Sgt. C.M. Gantz, 36, received information concerning an alleged cache of illicit liquor, located on N. 3rd Street -- a short distance north of Washington Avenue. Sgt. Gantz left a written note at the PD detailing where he and several other officers would be, attempting to locate the illicit liquor.

The location was an abandoned cistern with a dry bottom at the rear of the building. Although other officers urged him not to go in the well, Sgt. Gantz told them he felt it was a matter of duty that he investigate. He was lowered by rope into the 20-foot well by Officers Lee Jenkins, C.E. Ware and Frank Tennison.

While being lowered into the well, Sgt. Gantz was overcome by a toxic mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases, and lost his grip on the rope. He lay motionless at the bottom of the well for nearly an hour. Several attempts were made to rescue him, but were unsuccessful due to the extreme black gas. Officers Lee Cashaw and F. Cushion were finally able to use the rope and long pole to secure a loop around one of his feet and pull him to the surface. Sgt. Gantz was unconscious and without a pulse. Five doctors from Colgin hospital were present, and although numerous life saving methods were employed, to include the use of a pulmotor, they were not able to revive him.

Sgt. Gantz was survived by a wife and seven children. His eighth child was born two days after his death on August 10, 1923.

Sgt. Gantz came to Waco in 1921 from Louisville, Kentucky. He worked with his father for a short time before joining the Waco Police Department. He was a member of the Masonic Order and the Woodmen of the World. He served two years with�WPD. Back to memorial page

HONOR AND REMEMBER

Texas leads the nation in the number of officer deaths

The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Foundation reports Texas leads the nation in 2008 in the number of officer fatalities. So far this year, seven Texas peace officers have been killed in the line of duty. As of June 30, 61 officers nationwide had made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Peace Officers Memorial Foundation honors Texas' fallen officers by providing assistance and support in a line of duty death. The foundation also offers college scholarships, sponsors the biennial Memorial Service at the Texas State Capitol and supports research to find and honor all Texas peace officers who throughout history have made the ultimate sacrifice. The POMF is a 501(c)3 charity of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.

The Officer Down Memorial Page is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring America's fallen law enforcement heroes. More than 19,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the United States and ODMP pays a lasting tribute to each of these officers by preserving their memories within its pages.