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Incident
Patrolman Froeschl died from exposure to the cold while attempting to save a drowning woman. He had just finished his shift and was being driven by another officer in a patrol car when they heard a call about a woman drowning near 25th and Seawall. When they responded to the scene they encountered a crowd of 500 people, none of whom were helping rescue the woman. Patrolman Froeschl entered the cold water and rescued the woman. He was transported to a local hospital for exposure and shock and subsequently contracted pneumonia and died. Patrolman Froeschl, a U.S.
Survivors
Army veteran of WWII, had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his pregnant wife and two children.
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. Army. One record, 2 gates. George 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 Froeschl gave the Galveston Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston 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
George Froeschl served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
George is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
George is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
George is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 1 officer at Galveston Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 4.
In 1952, 4 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1952, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1952, 65 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 82nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
George was 26. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 34. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
George was 26. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
George was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 26. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11.1% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; September holds the most, 44.4%. Wednesdays: 22.2%.
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 47.4% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, George 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
Military Service
George Froeschl served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit George Froeschl’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 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
