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Incident
Captain Phoenix was shot and killed while he and two other officers questioned two suspicious men. When the officers attempted to arrest the men a gun battle ensued and Captain Phoenix shot in the head and killed instantly. Sergeant Schuyler Houston also sustained serious gunshot wounds in the shootout. Despite serious wounds and frequent trips to the hospital, Sergeant Houston remained with the police department and was promoted to captain. He eventually succumbed to the wounds on October 4, 1927. The two suspects fled to Mexico and were never apprehended. Captain Phoenix had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 12-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Captain Phoenix gave the El Paso Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Phoenix.
— 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.
Harry is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1921, 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 1921, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Harry was 37. 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. Harry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Harry was 37. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Harry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Harry was 37. 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. Harry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 13% of these deaths at El Paso Police Department; October holds the most, 17.4%. Mondays: 17.4%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 67.6% of all 34 deaths at El Paso Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 34.8% 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 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
El Paso Police Department has 34 officers remembered here, Harry 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 40-W
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