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Incident
Detective Charles Burrell was in a restaurant at the corner of 28th and Church Street when two men approached from behind him.
One of the men shot Detective Burrell in the neck, the bullet ranging upward through his jaw and lodging in his head. Both men were quickly captured and the weapon was recovered. Detective Burrell was taken to a local hospital where he was able to identify one of his assailants.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that Detective Burrell, an African American, had been working to wipe out cocaine dealing in the segregated areas of Galveston. He had arrested his two assailants, both Caucasian males, several times in the recent past for drug dealing.
Detective Burrell died from his wounds one week later, on July 30th, 1914.
Detective Burrell was survived by his wife, sister, and two brothers. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Galveston, Texas.
Survivors
Detective Burrell was survived by his wife, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Detective Burrell gave the Galveston Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Burrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1914, 2 officers at Galveston Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1914, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 33. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45; the middle age was 35. Charles had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Charles was 33. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 33. 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. Charles had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 30% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; June holds the most, 30%. Thursdays: 30%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.6% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% 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.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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John Ferguson
Apr 6, 1873
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Adolph Howe Sep 8, 1900
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Charles Wolfe Sep 8, 1900
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Frederick L. Richards Sep 8, 1900
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Samuel Eugene Tovrea Sep 8, 1900
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Martin Mayo Jul 28, 1905
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John J. Burke Jan 11, 1914
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Charles Burrell Jul 30, 1914
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John B. Lawson Jun 3, 1919
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James Gene Reegan
Jun 29, 1927
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Thomas Tell Hawkins Jan 2, 1930
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Albert Bernard Fredrickson
Jun 2, 1933
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Frank Marchesi
Jul 21, 1942
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Bennie Frank Elrod
Mar 11, 1948
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John Reifel
Jun 5, 1948
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George Froeschl
Apr 9, 1952
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Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III
Jun 11, 1954
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Gregory Urquiaga, Jr.
Dec 11, 1976
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Robert Louis John
Aug 16, 1990
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
