Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant George Garrett was shot and killed during a bank robbery. A silent alarm was activated by one of the tellers after two suspects entered a Bank of America and threatened to detonate a bomb. Four plain clothes officers arrived to the scene within three minutes. Sergeant Garrett, who was not in uniform, entered first and approached the bank manager and identified himself as an officer. It was unknown to the officer that one of the suspects, who was dressed in a suit and tie, was standing next to the bank manager. Shots immediately rang out and Sergeant Garrett was fatally wounded. Officers returned fire killing one of the suspects, and one of the other plain clothes officers was wounded when he was mistaken for one of the suspects by patrol officers who had also responded to the scene. Sergeant Garrett had been employed with the Redwood City Police Department for ten years and is the only officer killed in the line of duty in the department's history; he is survived by his wife and daughter (born after his death). He is buried in Skyline Memorial Park and in 1981 city officials dedicated the George L. Garrett Junior Memorial Park in his honor. Sergeant Garrett was a graduate of the 124th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Survivors
Sergeant Garrett had been employed with the Redwood City Police Department for ten years and is the only officer killed in the line of duty in the department's history; he is survived by his wife and daughter (born after his death).
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-A6E2A4B9- Stewardship
- 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 George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Garrett gave the Redwood City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Redwood City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Garrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant George Leon Garrett Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Redwood City Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Leon Garrett Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How George Leon Garrett Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Leon Garrett Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Leon Garrett Jr. was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Redwood City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
