Police Officer Billy Paul Speed, Austin Police Department, Texas

Police Officer Billy Paul Speed

Austin Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Monday, August 1, 1966

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Billy Paul Speed

Police Officer Billy Speed was shot and killed by a sniper on the clock tower at the University of Texas.

He was eating lunch in a nearby cafe when he heard the rifle fire. When he went to investigate he was shot by the sniper. The sniper killed a total of 14 people and injured 31 others before several officers and civilians made it to the top of the tower and fatally shot him.

Officer Speed was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Austin Police Department for 13 months. He was survived by his wife and child.

Bio

Age 23
Tour 1 year, 1 month
Badge 37
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle
Offender Shot and killed

active shooter, ambush, sniper

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Most Recent Reflection

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I remember Billy well. We were classmates at Highlands High School and were teammates on the 1960 Highlands Owls football team. He was a great guy and teammate. He signed my yearbook. I was in Vietnam when I read about Billy's death on the front page of the Stars and Stripes. May he rest in peace.

Bill Cocke
Friend

February 26, 2024