Roll of Honor
Gary Vance Gifford
Incident
Trooper Gary Gifford was shot and killed after making a traffic stop of a bank robbery suspect on US 50, at Cave Rock, Nevada. His killer was convicted of his murder and sent to prison. In 1989 his killer was shot and killed in prison after taking a physician hostage during a 10 hour standoff. Trooper Gifford was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the Nevada Highway Patrol for six years and had served a short time as chief of the Fallon Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-3844C264- 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.
Trooper Gifford gave the Nevada Department of Public Safety 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nevada, 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
Gary Vance Gifford served in the Navy (1964â1968) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper Gary Vance Gifford 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, 6 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Vance Gifford's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Vance Gifford Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Vance Gifford is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Vance Gifford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
