Incident
Sergeant Donald Basquette succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two months earlier while he and other officers attempted to arrest a man wanted for murder and robbery. Sergeant Basquette arrived on the scene as officers were placing the suspect in their squad car. The suspect grabbed a .25 caliber handgun, and a gun battle erupted between Sergeant Basquette and the suspect. In the midst of the gun fire Sergeant Basquette was critically wounded and the suspect killed.
Survivors
Sergeant Basquette had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and two small children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrol Sergeant Basquette gave the Waco Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Sergeant Basquette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Waco Police Department has lost 11 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 1969, 1 officer at Waco Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 12 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 31. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Waco Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 42; the middle age was 39. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 31. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Donald was 31. 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. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 22.2% of these deaths at Waco Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 44.4%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 11 deaths at Waco Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.2% 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
Waco Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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Laban John Hoffman Jan 6, 1871
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Alpheus D. Neill Feb 6, 1877
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William Davis Mitchell
Oct 27, 1900
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Charles M. Gantz
Aug 8, 1923
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Urby Joe Thompson
Jul 24, 1933
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J. M. Baskin
Aug 28, 1936
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Elmer Huddleston
Jul 2, 1940
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Holly Ray Anderson
Oct 8, 1940
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Donald Hartley Basquette
Feb 11, 1969
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Roger E. Barrett
Jun 12, 1976
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John Robert Vicha
Aug 29, 1989
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Waco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.







