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Incident
Officer Chester Grounds was shot and killed after responding to a family fight at 1413 East 4th Street. When officers arrived, they were unable to locate the suspect. All the officers then went to the suspect's mother's house. When he was still not located, Officer Grounds and another officer returned to 1413 East 4th Street to search continue the search. The suspect had concealed himself in the dark by a fence in the backyard. When Officer Grounds entered the backyard, the suspect fired, hitting the officer in the chest. Officer Grounds was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect ran from the scene. A search of the area was immediately started. The suspect was located at a gas station pumping gas in his car. As officers approached, he pulled a gun and pointed it at the officers. The officers fired at the suspect, killing him.
Survivors
Officer Grounds was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Grounds served with the Amarillo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Amarillo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Grounds.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Amarillo Police Department has lost 16 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Chester is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Chester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chester 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 1934, 2 officers at Amarillo Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chester was 24. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Amarillo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 27.5.
Chester was 24. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Chester was 24. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Chester was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 10% of these deaths at Amarillo Police Department; January holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 30%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 16 deaths at Amarillo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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
Amarillo Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, Chester among them.
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Preston George Burnam
Jan 5, 1934
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Chester Lewis Grounds
Feb 14, 1934
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Lemuel Dodd Savage
Mar 15, 1945
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B. W. Woods, Jr.
Jan 17, 1955
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Marvin E. Moore, Jr.
Jan 10, 1960
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Claude Bishop Evans
Dec 18, 1961
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Jerry Wayne Cawthon
Jan 1, 1964
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William Stanley Meadows
Jun 8, 1964
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Berry Joe McGuire
Dec 25, 1980
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Delbert Wayne Miller, Sr.
Nov 24, 1982
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James Delbert Mitchell, Jr.
Nov 11, 1985
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Mark Steven Simmons
Dec 17, 2008
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Justin Ryan Scherlen
Aug 4, 2016
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Raquel Virginia Saunders
Oct 13, 2021
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Michael David Dunn
Oct 22, 2021
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Miguel Eladio Sanchez
Dec 27, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Amarillo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
