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Incident
Officer John was killed when his patrol car was struck by a train at approximately 3:15 p.m. He was delivering the patrol car to a dealership for servicing when it was struck by the Texas Limited Passenger Train as he crossed the tracks on 77th Street. Officer John had been with the Galveston Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother, sister, niece, and grandmother.
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.
Patrol Officer John gave the Galveston Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer John.
— 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.
Robert is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 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 1990, 13 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 47. 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. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Robert was 47. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 47. 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. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; September holds the most, 44.4%. Thursdays: 11.1%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
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 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Robert 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
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
