Incident
Patrolman Gus Chitwood was shot and killed while investigating gunfire in an alley. While shining his flashlight in the alley a shot rang out, striking him. A suspect was apprehended and taken to detectives office. While in custody he confessed to the murder of Patrolman William Paschall two months earlier. After the confession he attempted to grab an officer's handgun and was shot and killed by other officers.
Survivors
Patrolman Chitwood was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Chitwood gave the El Paso Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chitwood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Paso Police Department has lost 34 officers; 23 of them killed feloniously.
Gus is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Gus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gus is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer at El Paso Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 2.
In 1915, 16 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gus was 40. Of the 20 killed feloniously at El Paso Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 40.3; the middle age was 37. Gus had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gus was 40. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Gus had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Gus was 40. 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. Gus had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gus was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gus had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 13% of these deaths at El Paso Police Department; October holds the most, 17.4%. Saturdays: 26.1%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 67.6% of all 34 deaths at El Paso Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
El Paso Police Department has 34 officers remembered here, Gus among them.
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Thomas P. Moad Jul 11, 1883
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Newton Stewart
Feb 17, 1900
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William Paschall
Dec 4, 1914
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Gus Chitwood
Feb 13, 1915
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Sidney J. Benson
Jun 28, 1917
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Octaviano Perea
Feb 1, 1918
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George Franklin Drake
Sep 22, 1918
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Harry Phoenix
Jun 13, 1921
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Frank Burns
Apr 12, 1923
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Enrique Rivera Nov 25, 1923
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John Jack Coleman
Jul 14, 1924
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Lynn Reed McClintock
Oct 3, 1926
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Schuyler C. Houston
Oct 4, 1927
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Ralph O. Marmolejo
Mar 17, 1951
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Warren Mitchell
May 16, 1953
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Guillermo Sanchez
Dec 14, 1957
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Arthur Joe Lavender, Jr.
Dec 16, 1966
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Roger A. Hamilton
Jun 21, 1970
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Guy Ray Myers, Jr.
Jul 24, 1970
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David Bannister
Jun 3, 1974
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Wayne V. Carreon
Jun 10, 1981
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Charles Douglas Heinrich
Aug 29, 1985
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Norman Michael Montion
Oct 16, 1989
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Ernesto Serna
Nov 12, 1991
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Angel Andrew Barcena
Sep 25, 2004
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Karl Raymond McDonough
Oct 13, 2010
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Jonathan Keith Molina
Oct 5, 2012
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Angel David Garcia
Dec 16, 2012
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Adrian Arellano
Mar 18, 2015
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David Ortiz
Mar 14, 2016
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Camerino Santiago
Jan 11, 2021
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Jonathan Andre Terrazas
Sep 1, 2021
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Gerardo Morales
Jan 7, 2022
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Santos Perez
Dec 2, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
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