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Incident
Corporal Abel Marquez, Corporal Scott Gardner, and Corporal Arlie Jones were shot and killed when they responded to a domestic violence call.
When the three officers arrived, the victim left her home and told the officers that her husband had hit her. The officers were unable to gain entry into the home through the front door. They then attempted to gain entry through the back door. As they did, the suspect opened fire, killing Corporal Jones and Corporal Gardner, and critically wounding Corporal Marquez.
The suspect was later shot and taken into custody after a four hour standoff. He passed away of cancer on May 31, 2011, before standing trial.
Corporal Marquez was transported to a local hospital where he remained unconscious until passing away four days later.
Corporal Marquez is survived by his two children and two brothers, both of whom also served with the Odessa Police Department. One of his brothers was one of the first officers on scene following the shooting and assisted his mortally wounded brother into a patrol car to be taken to the hospital.
Survivors
Corporal Marquez is survived by his two children and two brothers, both of whom also served with the Odessa Police Department.
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.
Corporal Marquez gave the Odessa Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Odessa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Marquez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Odessa Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Abel is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Abel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abel was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Abel had served 7.1 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Abel was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Abel had served 7.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abel was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abel had served 7.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Odessa Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Odessa Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Abel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Odessa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
