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Incident
Marshal Columbus Fitzgerald was shot and killed when he responded to a report of two men fighting. When he attempted to break up the fight he was shot and killed.
The suspect was also shot and killed.
Marshal Fitzgerald had served with the agency for 5 years. He was survived by his wife and two children. He is buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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
149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy City Marshal Fitzgerald gave the Fort Worth Marshal's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Worth Marshal's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Columbus is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Columbus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Columbus 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 1877, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1877, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1877, 38 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 150th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Columbus was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Columbus had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Columbus was 35. 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. Columbus had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Columbus was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Columbus had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Fort Worth Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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
Fort Worth Marshal's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Columbus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fort Worth Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.