Officer Tenney Gatewood, Jr.

Officer Tenney Gatewood, Jr.

White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department, Tribal Police

End of Watch Thursday, December 9, 1999

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Tenney Gatewood, Jr.

Officer Tenney Gatewood was shot and killed while struggling with two suspects, a father and son, whom he had stopped on Upper Log Road near Hawley Lake.

He had responded to a burglary call of a store on the White Mountain Apache Tribe reservation in Arizona when he stopped a vehicle he believed the suspects occupied. As Officer Gatewood spoke to the father the son exited the vehicle and forced him to the ground. The father then shot him in the head.

The subjects then fled into the woods where they were arrested approximately eight hours later. Both were convicted of crimes in connection with Officer Gatewood's murder. The son was sentenced to nine years in prison and the father was sentenced to 42 years in prison.

Officer Gatewood had served with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police for nine years. He is survived by his wife, four children, and a grandchild.

Bio

  • Age 38
  • Tour 9 years
  • Badge P22

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Location Arizona
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to 42 years

burglary, traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

View all 28 Reflections

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting officer Tenny Gatewood Jr. However I was called out with the AZ department of Corrections to assemble my team of hounds to assist in the apprehension of the fugitives. I will never forget that night. Sergeant W. Gorman, AZ Department of Corrections ret.
RIP Brother

Sgt W. Gorman Ret.
AZ Department of Corrections

December 8, 2022

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