Tarleton State University Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 13, 1978
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 351
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: December 12, 1978
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman W.A. Hail suffered a fatal heart attack at approximately 11:30 pm shortly after chasing several students who were conducting a panty raid at a female dorm following their last final exam.
He had chased several of the male students a short distance before collapsing. Several students performed CPR on Officer Hail but were unable to revive him. He was transported to a local hospital where he died several minutes after midnight.
Patrolman Hail was a WWII veteran and had served with the Tarleton State College Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, son, stepmother, two half-sisters, and two grandchildren.