Arlington Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, July 17, 1975
Add to My HeroesGary Dwaine Harl
Officer Gary Harl succumbed to gunshot wounds he received when he stopped a man driving a stolen motorcycle.
Around 11:00 pm, Officer Harl made a routine traffic stop for a simple traffic violation. The driver of the motorcycle stopped in the parking lot of a convenience store near 1101 California Lane. Officer Harl requested back up and began talking with the motorcycle driver, who suddenly reached toward Officer Harl, pointing a gun at the officer's head. The subject shot him one time.
Officer Harl was pronounced dead at the hospital about one hour later. He was unaware the motorcycle had just been stolen by the suspect.
Texas Rangers assisted in the investigation and manhunt of the suspect, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound the following morning after being surrounded by officers.
Officer Harl was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Arlington Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and brother.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 2 years
- Badge 0256
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, July 16, 1975
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 23 ReflectionsI was his patrol sargent, but was off duty that fateful night. He was was a fine officier. APD lost a young superior man of character.
Patrol Sgt. Jerry McCurry #115
APD
July 24, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024