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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Officer Speed,

I was watching a documentary about the University of Texas tower sniper when I learned on Austin Police officer was killed during the incident, so I looked for your memorial page. True to your oath, you ran to the sound of rifle fire. Thank you so much for your courageous service to the people of the city of Austin. I pray your wife and child were able to move on and had a relatively happy life after you were gone.

Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)

March 12, 2025