Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edwyn Gorrell succumbed to gunshot wounds received on February 22, 1988, when he was shot during an arrest attempt. While arresting a man at the 600 block of Navarro Street in San Antonio around 6:30 p.m., a struggle ensued. During the struggle, his weapon fell to the ground. Another officer witnessed the struggle and attempted to intervene when the man grabbed Patrolman Gorrell's gun and shot Patrolman Gorrell in the head. He then shot the other officer in the shoulder before fleeing. The suspect took six people hostage at the Travis Park Building before surrendering three hours later. Patrolman Gorrell remained in a coma at the Brooke Army Medical Center until passing away over four months later. The other officer survived his wounds. The suspect was convicted of murder with a deadly weapon and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 2023. Patrolman Gorrell's brother had been shot in the line of duty as a trooper with the Texas Highway Patrol and survived his wounds. Patrolman Gorrell had served with the San Antonio Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-F96A9BC9- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gorrell gave the San Antonio Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gorrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Edwyn Joseph Gorrell 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 San Antonio Police Dept., 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edwyn Joseph Gorrell's cause is highlighted.
How Edwyn Joseph Gorrell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edwyn Joseph Gorrell is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edwyn Joseph Gorrell was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
