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Incident
Officer Mayo was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance between a man and woman fighting over a jewelry box. When Officer Mayo attempted to break up the fight he was shot in the back by the male suspect. Officer Mayo died en route to the hospital.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On March 21, 1936, he was accidentally shot and killed by a guard who was trying to break up a fight among other inmates at Wynne Prison Farm.
Officer Mayo had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Officer Mayo had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and five 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Mayo gave the Galveston Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Mayo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Galveston Police Department has lost 19 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Martin is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin 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 1905, 1 officer at Galveston Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 2.
In 1905, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 46. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Galveston Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 45; the middle age was 35. Martin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Martin was 46. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Martin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Martin was 46. 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. Martin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Martin was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Martin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 30% of these deaths at Galveston Police Department; June holds the most, 30%. Fridays: 20%.
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.6% of all 19 deaths at Galveston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10% 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; unknown type, in 10.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Galveston Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Martin 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 61-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Galveston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
