Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gary Harl succumbed to gunshot wounds he received when he stopped a man driving a stolen motorcycle. Around 11:00 pm, Officer Harl made a routine traffic stop for a simple traffic violation. The driver of the motorcycle stopped in the parking lot of a convenience store near 1101 California Lane. Officer Harl requested back up and began talking with the motorcycle driver, who suddenly reached toward Officer Harl, pointing a gun at the officer's head. The subject shot him one time. Officer Harl was pronounced dead at the hospital about one hour later. He was unaware the motorcycle had just been stolen by the suspect. Texas Rangers assisted in the investigation and manhunt of the suspect, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound the following morning after being surrounded by officers. Officer Harl was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Arlington Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F7BD35DF- 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.
Officer Harl gave the Arlington Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arlington community, 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 Dwaine Harl served in the Marine Corps (1963â1967) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Gary Dwaine Harl 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 Arlington Police Department, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Dwaine Harl's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Dwaine Harl Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Dwaine Harl is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Dwaine Harl was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Arlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
