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Rudy M. Gonzales
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rudy Gonzales was killed in an automobile crash on Slaton Highway while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
The drunk driver of another vehicle going in the opposite direction crossed the median and struck Deputy Gonzales' patrol car head-on at a high rate of speed. The driver of the other vehicle was also killed.
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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rudy. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Rudy is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gonzales served with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lubbock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gonzales.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Rudy M. Gonzales served in the U.S. Army (1988â1988) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lubbock County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Rudy is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Rudy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rudy 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
Rudy was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Rudy was 35. 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.
Rudy was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Lubbock County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lubbock County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Rudy among them.
Military Service
Rudy M. Gonzales served in the U.S. Army (1988–1988) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Rudy M. Gonzales’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 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lubbock County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
