Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Howard Gudgell died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Deputy Gudgell had served with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
I came to know Howard Gudgell in 2005 when I began my tenure @ TCSO after retiring from Arlington PD. Initially it was in passing, but when he moved to the Justice Center in 2010 where I was working, we found time to become acquainted & a true @ work friendship ensued. Although in different venues, our early law enforcement careers on a time-line, mirrored each other. I came to know him as a quiet, yet opinionated man, with a subtle but energetic sense of humor. Those few years before I retired in late 2013, was aptly spent with Howard in good company. As a parting gift, he fashioned for me, a beautiful hand-made jack knife carved of wood, with my name engraved, & on a wooden display stand. on my desk. I always cherished that gift from him, even more so in hearing of his untimely passing. Every morning upon awakening, my desk & that knife are one of the 1st things I see @ the foot of my bed; I look @ the knife, say good morning to Howard & I smile. Alex Ramsey Arlington PD/Tarrant County S.O. retired. A friend of Howard Gudgell's.
Officer/Deputy Alex Ramsey retired Arlington PD/Tarrant County S.O. retired December 17th, 2023
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff William Howard Gudgell died on September 17, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 72.
He is one of 884 officers honored here, and one of 5 at Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-3A51DEC8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. 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
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Gudgell gave the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gudgell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Howard Gudgell is one of 1 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In TX, 204 of 2,421 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 8.4% of this state's fallen. That is 8.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 13 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 38.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Howard Gudgell's cause is highlighted.
How William Howard Gudgell Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. William Howard Gudgell is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Tarrant County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
