Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gary Gryder was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at a construction site on the Katy Freeway. The drunk driver drove through a barricade and struck Officer Gryder and another officer without braking. The vehicle continued until striking a brick wall, where the driver was taken into custody.
The driver, charged with manslaughter, was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and committed to the Rusk State Mental Hospital. On May 2, 2016, a Harris County judge denied his release from the hospital where he will have to remain for at least one more year.
Officer Gryder had served with the Houston Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, step-daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-E5CD2AE9- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Gryder gave the Houston Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gryder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Gary Allen Gryder 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Allen Gryder's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Allen Gryder Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Allen Gryder is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Allen Gryder was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
