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Incident
Town Marshal Ralph Gibons was shot and killed as he and the Wasco County sheriff attempted to arrest a man for complicity in the robbery of a bank in Washougal, Washington. The officers arrested both men as they got off a train at the train station. As they began walking them to jail along 2nd Street one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot Marshal Gibons in the chest. A posse arrested both subjects a short time later. Three weeks later one was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Gibons served with The Dalles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the The Dalles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Gibons.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
The Dalles Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer in OR was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at The Dalles Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
The Dalles Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from The Dalles Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
