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Incident
Officer Alfred McGaffey was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a subject causing a disturbance and boarding house. Officer McGaffey was eating with his family during his dinner break when he heard a call on his police radio. Although not dispatched, he responded to the scene on Avenue H. The suspect attempted to flee the house after he set it on fire through the back door. Officer McGaffey ran around the house and began to struggle with the suspect. He was pushed to the ground by the suspect then shot him twice as he lay there. The suspect was apprehended after a shootout with other officers. He was taken to jail, where he committed suicide in his cell. Officer McGaffey was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Galveston Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his 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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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.
Officer McGaffey 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
Alfred Byrd McGaffey III served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Alfred is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1954, 1 officer at Galveston Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 2.
In 1954, 6 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alfred was 24. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45; the middle age was 35. Alfred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Alfred was 24. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Alfred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Alfred was 24. 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. Alfred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alfred was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alfred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 30% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.6% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Alfred 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
Alfred Byrd McGaffey III served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Alfred Byrd McGaffey III’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
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Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
