Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gerhart was shot and killed after arresting a suspect for littering on West Loop Freeway near Interstate-10. Officer Bobby James was killed when the suspect forced his cruiser off the road during the ensuing chase. Officer Gerhart had stopped the suspect after observing the man and a woman throwing bottles from their car. He placed the suspect in his cruiser and returned to the vehicle to talk to the woman. The man suddenly ran back to the car and retrieved a handgun from under the seat and opened fire as Officer Gerhart drew his weapon. The suspect then stole Officer Gerhart's weapon and fled the scene. Several officers began chasing the suspect after locating the vehicle. During the pursuit, the suspect fired at the officers before forcing Officer James' cruiser off the road. The suspect fled on foot but was shot and killed in an ensuing shootout. Officer Gerhart was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Houston Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-5850DFA8- 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.
Police Officer Gerhart gave the Houston Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston 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
Ben Eddie Gerhart served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Ben Eddie Gerhart 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ben Eddie Gerhart's cause is highlighted.
How Ben Eddie Gerhart Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ben Eddie Gerhart is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ben Eddie Gerhart was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
