As you remember these fallen officers, take comfort in recalling that they dedicated their lives to the same principles of honor, duty and courage that brought you to the badge. Such a life is truly rich. Take strength in knowing that when an officer falls, our resolve to serve those in need is not diminished. Our dedication to protecting those in danger is not weakened. Our commitment to remembering those with whom we shared the badge does not fade.

Godspeed, brothers and sisters. You fought the good fight. Now rest in peace�

Help remember officers killed in the line of duty with a donation to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

June 29, 2008

EmailPrintTalk BackRegister RSS What's This

Officer Down: Officer Gary Gryder

Officer Down: Officer Gary Gryder - [Houston, Texas]

Age: Not available

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Vehicular assault

Officer Gary Gryder was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at a construction site on the Katy Freeway. The drunk driver drove through a barricade and struck Officer Gryder and another officer without braking.

The vehicle continued until striking a brick wall, where the driver was taken into custody.

Officer Gryder had served with the Houston Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife and son.

Houston officer killed by speeding car

By Mike Glenn
The Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON — A Houston police officer was killed and a second remains hospitalized in critical condition this morning after they were struck by a speeding motorist in west Houston, authorities said.

Officers Gary Gryder and Joe Pyland were hit shortly after 5 a.m. when the driver of a Toyota sedan crashed through the traffic barriers on the Katy Freeway at Highway 6, police said.

Both officers were taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital where Gryder was pronounced dead, officials said.

Another officer with Gryder and Pyland managed to jump out of the way at the last moment, police said.

The sedan eventually came to rest against the overpass wall along the Katy Freeway''s eastbound feeder road.

The driver of the Toyota, a man in his early to mid-20s, was taken into custody. He appeared to be intoxicated and a blood sample will be taken, officials said.

He could face a charge of intoxication manslaughter, police said.

Has an officer fallen in your department or local area?Submit news articles and information on the incident to the PoliceOne site.

EmailPrintTalk BackRegister RSS What's This

You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments.

COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) - Supporting the surviving families of America's fallen law enforcement officers.

COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund - Supporting the law enforcement profession by permanently recording and appropriately commemorating the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

Support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and help us honor the men and women whose names appear on the Memorial Wall: Donate Now

All cases of fallen officers are reviewed based on strict criteria prior to inclusion by National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This in no way implies that a particular name will appear on the Memorial Wall.