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Incident
Officer John Ferguson was stabbed to death while responding to a report of a mentally deranged person stabbing citizens at Mechanic Street and Seventeenth Street.
When Officer Ferguson approached the subject, he was stabbed twice in the heart. He was taken to a local home where he succumbed to his wounds 20 minutes later.
The suspect was apprehended. After a mistrial and requesting another delay, the subject was shot and killed in retaliation. The subject who shot him was found not guilty.
Officer Ferguson had served with the Galveston Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
153 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Ferguson gave the Galveston Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1873, 1 officer at Galveston Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 2.
In 1873, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1873, 28 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1873, 34 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45; the middle age was 35. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
John was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 45. 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. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; June holds the most, 30%. Sundays: 20%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.6% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.6% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Ferguson
Apr 6, 1873
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Adolph Howe Sep 8, 1900
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Charles Wolfe Sep 8, 1900
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Frederick L. Richards Sep 8, 1900
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Samuel Eugene Tovrea Sep 8, 1900
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Martin Mayo Jul 28, 1905
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John J. Burke Jan 11, 1914
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Charles Burrell Jul 30, 1914
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John B. Lawson Jun 3, 1919
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James Gene Reegan
Jun 29, 1927
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Thomas Tell Hawkins Jan 2, 1930
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Albert Bernard Fredrickson
Jun 2, 1933
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Frank Marchesi
Jul 21, 1942
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Bennie Frank Elrod
Mar 11, 1948
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John Reifel
Jun 5, 1948
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George Froeschl
Apr 9, 1952
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Alfred Byrd McGaffey, III
Jun 11, 1954
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Gregory Urquiaga, Jr.
Dec 11, 1976
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Robert Louis John
Aug 16, 1990
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
