Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Norman Zator was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for a traffic violation near La Marque. At 10:30 p.m., Patrolman Zator radioed the La Marque Police Department that he was stopping a vehicle for weaving at Texas 146 and Texas 3. Unknown to him, the car had been stolen earlier from a hospital parking lot in Houston. At 10:40 p.m., Patrolman Zator was found beside his patrol car with his service revolver in his hand and his patrol car still running. One shot had been fired. Two suspects, 20 and 25, who fled on foot, were apprehended the next day at a tin smelter in Texas City. The oldest, also the gunman, had a gunshot wound in his arm. On May 11, 1970, both were convicted of murder and each was sentenced to 99 years. Patrolman Zator was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol for three years, stationed at La Marque.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-7F9282FD- Stewardship
- 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 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.
Patrolman Zator gave the Texas Department of Public Safety 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Texas, 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
Norman Edward Zator served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Norman Edward Zator 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, 35 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman Edward Zator's cause is highlighted.
How Norman Edward Zator Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman Edward Zator is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman Edward Zator was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Norman Edward Zator served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Norman Edward Zator’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
94 officers from Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
