Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-ACECA644- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Galveston Police Department, 10 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III's cause is highlighted.
How Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
