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Incident
Patrolman Gary Bryant was shot and killed while investigating a hit-and-run crash around 2:00 p.m. Patrolman Bryant had located the suspect and was shot when he was attempting to arrest him. His body was found under a pile of leaves in the front yard of a house with six gunshot wounds. He had been shot once in the head with his own .45 caliber handgun, which the suspect stole. The other five shots were from the suspect's .22 caliber weapon. His patrol car was located on FM 2440 (present-day Manheim Road) near Giddings, approximately a mile away. The suspect was found to be in the United States illegally from Mexico and was later found incompetent to stand trial. He was deported to an institution in Mexico. Patrolman Bryant was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Giddings Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, granddaughter, mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Gary is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bryant gave the Giddings Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Giddings community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gary Joe Bryant served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gary is the only officer of Giddings Police Department remembered here.
Gary is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gary is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 4 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 49. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Gary had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gary was 49. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Giddings Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Gary Joe Bryant served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gary Joe Bryant’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Giddings Police Department are honored on badge.nw.