Patrolman Edwyn Joseph Gorrell

Patrolman Edwyn Joseph Gorrell | San Antonio Police Department, Texas
San Antonio Police Department, Texas
Patrolman Edwyn Joseph Gorrell

San Antonio Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, July 5, 1988

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Edwyn Joseph Gorrell

Patrolman Edwyn Gorrell succumbed to gunshot wounds received on February 22, 1988, when he was shot during an arrest attempt.

While arresting a man at the 600 block of Navarro Street in San Antonio around 6:30 p.m., a struggle ensued. During the struggle, his weapon fell to the ground. Another officer witnessed the struggle and attempted to intervene when the man grabbed Patrolman Gorrell's gun and shot Patrolman Gorrell in the head. He then shot the other officer in the shoulder before fleeing. The suspect took six people hostage at the Travis Park Building before surrendering three hours later.

Patrolman Gorrell remained in a coma at the Brooke Army Medical Center until passing away over four months later. The other officer survived his wounds.

The suspect was convicted of murder with a deadly weapon and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 2023.

Patrolman Gorrell's brother had been shot in the line of duty as a trooper with the Texas Highway Patrol and survived his wounds.

Patrolman Gorrell had served with the San Antonio Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Bio

  • Age 34
  • Tour 2 years
  • Badge 47

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Monday, February 22, 1988
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to life

arrest attempt

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Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Minister Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM
Ordained/Licensed Independent NACM Minister
The I'M PRAYING MINISTRY - "An Intercessory Prayer Ministry"
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 4, 2025

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