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Incident
Narcotics Officer Gregory Urquiaga was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while searching for a suspect at 2300 hours. He and the other officers were conducting a raid on a heroin suspect in a condo complex, but the suspect was not there. The suspect's girlfriend was able to lure him back to the complex. When an empty elevator opened on the floor the officers began to scramble to find the suspect. As Officer Urquiaga proceeded through a stair well the other officer observed a body and pistol come around the corner quickly, and opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Urquiaga.
Survivors
Officer Urquiaga had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Narcotics Officer Urquiaga gave the Galveston Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Narcotics Officer Urquiaga.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Gregory is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gregory 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 1976, 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 1976, 5 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gregory was 24. 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. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Gregory was 24. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gregory was 24. 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. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gregory was 24. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.1% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; September holds the most, 44.4%. Saturdays: 55.6%.
December holds 11.7% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Saturdays: 18%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
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, Gregory 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 the Name Is Cut
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