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Incident
Officer Charles Wolfe and three other officers werekilled the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900.
The storm, a category 4 hurricane, claimed the lives of over 8,000 citizens and destroyed over 1,500 acres of the city.
Officer Wolfe and his parents were born in Germany as well as his wife and her parents. He was born March 1852 and his wife Johanna was born October 1852. They had two sons, Charles born July 1875, and Edward H. born April 1883.
Survivors
Officer Wolfe had served with the agency for 7 years and was survived by his wife.
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.
Police Officer Wolfe gave the Galveston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wolfe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1900, 4 officers at Galveston Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1900, 4 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1900, 17 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 124th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1900, 27 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 121st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 48. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 34. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Charles was 48. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charles was 48. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 48. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 44.4% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 55.6%.
September holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 18%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 47.4% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Charles 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
