Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman George Whybark was shot and killed by a lone gunman when he interrupted a burglary attempt at a jewelry store on Franklin Street. The man ran and disappeared into the backyard of a nearby saloon when he saw Watchman Whybark coming toward him. As Watchman Whybark searched the backyard the suspect emerged from the darkness and shot him four times. Watchman Whybark returned fire during the shooting. The suspect was captured on March 24th, 1910, after his mistress alerted the police. It was discovered that the suspect had committed several robberies and burglaries in San Francisco and Oakland. During the commission of these crimes, he had killed two men in San Francisco. It was also discovered that on January 11th, 1910, he shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Andrew Lindquist, of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, during a robbery of a saloon. The 22-year-old subject was convicted of Watchman Whybark's murder on June 1st, 1910, and sentenced to life in prison. He was accidentally killed while working at a job in San Quentin Prison on June 15, 1917. Watchman Whybark had served with the Santa Clara Police Department for two years. He was single and was survived by his brother and sister. Watchman Whybark was laid to rest in San Lorenzo, California.
Survivors
He was single and was survived by his brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-BD2045C8- 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.
Night Watchman Whybark gave the Santa Clara Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Clara community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Whybark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman George Whybark 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 Santa Clara Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Whybark's cause is highlighted.
How George Whybark Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Whybark is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Whybark was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Santa Clara Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
