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Incident
Sergeant George Garrett was shot and killed during a bank robbery. A silent alarm was activated by one of the tellers after two suspects entered a Bank of America and threatened to detonate a bomb. Four plain clothes officers arrived to the scene within three minutes. Sergeant Garrett, who was not in uniform, entered first and approached the bank manager and identified himself as an officer. It was unknown to the officer that one of the suspects, who was dressed in a suit and tie, was standing next to the bank manager. Shots immediately rang out and Sergeant Garrett was fatally wounded. Officers returned fire killing one of the suspects, and one of the other plain clothes officers was wounded when he was mistaken for one of the suspects by patrol officers who had also responded to the scene. Sergeant Garrett had been employed with the Redwood City Police Department for ten years and is the only officer killed in the line of duty in the department's history; he is survived by his wife and daughter (born after his death). He is buried in Skyline Memorial Park and in 1981 city officials dedicated the George L. Garrett Junior Memorial Park in his honor. Sergeant Garrett was a graduate of the 124th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Survivors
Sergeant Garrett had been employed with the Redwood City Police Department for ten years and is the only officer killed in the line of duty in the department's history; he is survived by his wife and daughter (born after his death).
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Sergeant Garrett gave the Redwood City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Redwood City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Garrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Redwood City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1981, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. George had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 39. 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. George had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Redwood City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Redwood City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, George among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Redwood City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
