Officer Edwyn J. Gorrell

Officer Edwyn "Eddie" Joseph Gorrell
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1954
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 05, 1988
Date of Incident: Monday, February 22, 1988
Age: 34
Badge Number: 47
Tour of Duty: 3 yr
Suspect Info: David Johnson of Florida, Charged with Capital Murder and Attempt Capital Murder. Serving life sentence.
Weapon Used: Officer's Walher PKK .380 semi-automatic
Buried: Mission Park North
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P22 - E1
TPOM: 25, C, 04

Officer Gorrell succumbed to gunshot wounds received four months earlier when he was shot by a suspect, in the 600 block of Navarro next to St. Anthony Inter-Continental Hotel. On February 22, 1988 at 6:30 pm, Officer Gorrell and Officer O. Serna were assigned to the downtown undercover foot patrol. After the Officers identified themselves, they attempted to make contact with a couple walking on the sidewalk. The woman was seen staggering. The man, later identified as David Johnson, objected and started an altercation. Officer Gorrell lost his Walher PKK .380 semi-automatic during the struggle as Johnson grabbeb the weapon and shot Officer Gorrell in the face and Officer Serna in the left shoulder. Johnson then ran to the Travis Park Plaza, where he took hostages. Hours later Johnson surrendered to police. Officer Gorrell fought bravely for his life while in a comma for the four months following the shooting but succumbed to his wounds on July 05, 1988.

Officer Gorrell was survived by his wife, daughter and son. -----San Antonio Express News

On April 15, 2008 The city of San Antonio held a grand opening of a new park named Edwyn J. Gorrell Memorial Park, 4802 De Zavala Road in honor of Officer Gorrell. Funds were provided by park bonds and the Unified Development Code.
The park includes an entryway, parking, a walking trail, picnic areas and a playground. His wife Linda, and children, Shavawn Brozovic and Christopher Gorrell, his parents, Harold and Laura Gorrell, brother, Michael, along with his grandchildren, Logan and Luke, attended the park's dedication ceremony.