Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman George Woerhle was shot and killed after being abducted by a suspect wanted for statutory rape. Patrolman Woerhle had allowed the suspect to put a shirt on and as the suspect came out of his room he concealed a .22 caliber handgun in the shirt. He then pointed the gun at Patrolman Woerhle and ordered him to drop his gun. Fearing that other family members may get hurt, Patrolmen Woerhle complied. The suspect took him as a hostage and fled in his patrol car. Patrolman Woerhle attempted to regain control of the situation but was struck in the head by the suspect and then pushed out of the patrol car. The man then shot him three times and fled. The suspect was arrested later in the afternoon. He was convicted of Patrolman Woerhle's murder and subsequently executed on January 17, 1962. Patrolman Woerhle had been with the agency for 18 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-0A7F1502- 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.
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.
Patrolman Woerhle gave the Stockton Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Woerhle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman George J. Woerhle 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Stockton Police Dept., 8 of 12 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 J. Woerhle's cause is highlighted.
How George J. Woerhle Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1962
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George J. Woerhle is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George J. Woerhle was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Stockton Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
