Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Phoenix was shot and killed while he and two other officers questioned two suspicious men. When the officers attempted to arrest the men a gun battle ensued and Captain Phoenix shot in the head and killed instantly. Sergeant Schuyler Houston also sustained serious gunshot wounds in the shootout. Despite serious wounds and frequent trips to the hospital, Sergeant Houston remained with the police department and was promoted to captain. He eventually succumbed to the wounds on October 4, 1927. The two suspects fled to Mexico and were never apprehended. Captain Phoenix had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 12-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-04578DA3- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Phoenix gave the El Paso Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Phoenix.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Harry Phoenix 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 El Paso Police Dept., 23 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Phoenix's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Phoenix Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Phoenix is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Phoenix was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from El Paso Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
