Francis Gebhardt
Agency patch
Patrolman

Francis Gebhardt

New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA
Felonious Veteran
End of Watch November 5, 1868
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 3 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Frank Gebhardt was shot and killed near the intersection of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue while walking a prisoner to jail at about 6:00 pm.

Patrolman Gebhardt had come across the subject assaulting another man who owed him money. He placed the subject under arrest and began walking him toward the jail when they encountered a group of the man's friends. The friends began to encourage the subject to resist the arrest, which prompted Patrolman Gebhardt to blow his police whistle for assistance.

As other officers approached the man pulled out a pistol and shot Patrolman Gebhardt before fleeing. Other officers pursued the man and arrested him several blocks away.

Patrolman Gebhardt was taken to his home where he died approximately four hours later. The subject was charged with murder but acquitted in January 1869.

Patrolman Gebhardt was a veteran of the Louisiana First Cavalry. He had served with the New Orleans Police Department for approximately 18 months.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-324D10D9
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 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 Gebhardt gave the New Orleans Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location New Orleans, LA
Platform Identity nopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 5, 1868
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 6 mo
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Military Service

Francis Gebhardt served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Francis Gebhardt 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.

New Orleans Police Department
86
of 128 officers
67.2% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis Gebhardt's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Francis Gebhardt Compares

Years of Service
1.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis Gebhardt is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location