Arlington Police Officer Gary Harl died in the line of duty on July 17, 1975, after a routine traffic stop resulted in a shooting. Officer Harl, age 31, served with the Arlington Police Department for two years.
Gary D. Harl (1943-1975)
Gary Dwaine Harl was born on December 13, 1943, in South Gate, California, to parents William and Helen. He served as a Sergeant and electronics technician in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and received the National Defense Medal.
Harl lived in Missouri and Oklahoma before moving to Texas; he lived in Arlington for about seven years. He attended UTA and studied Electrical Engineering before later changing his major to Criminal Justice. Gary and his wife, Sue, were members of the St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Arlington.
An undated photo of Officer Harl
Photo Credit: Arlington Police Department Collection
Around 11:00 PM on July 16, 1975, Officer Harl pulled over a man on a motorcycle for a minor traffic violation near Cooper Street and California Lane in Arlington. While conversing, the man pulled out a .38 caliber pistol and fired a single shot. Officer Harl was taken to nearby Arlington Memorial Hospital and succumbed to the gunshot wound in the early hours of July 17. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and brother.
Unbeknownst to Officer Harl, the suspect stole the motorcycle shortly before getting pulled over. After fleeing the scene, he was found the next day by law enforcement officers, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Fellow officers remarked that Harl was well-liked and a good police officer. Harl’s wife, Sue, later said, “There are some people who are meant to wear a uniform—and Gary was one of those people.”
Cuffs and knife carried by Officer Gary Harl the night he died in the line of duty.
— July 16, 1975
Photo Credit:
Arlington Police Department Collection
Note: It’s believed Harl passed away in the early hours of July 17th.
Arlington remembers Gary Harl with a street name and a plaque at Heroes Park. There is also a memorial sign near the site of the traffic stop. The Arlington Police Department holds an annual ceremony in May to honor and recognize officers lost in the line of duty. They also post remembrances on Facebook for each of the anniversaries. Further, the Gary D. Harl Memorial Scholarship is available for UTA students majoring in Criminology or Criminal Justice and pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Gary Harl is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City. We remember his service to Arlington with gratitude.
Obituary for Gary Dwaine Harl
Photo Credit: Find-a-Grave | Robert Sandlin
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – July 17, 1975 newspaper clipping
Photo Credit: Find-a-Grave | talos128
Resources and Additional Reading
- Officer Down Memorial Page – Officer Gary Dwaine Harl
- Gary D. Harl Memorial Scholarship
- Find-a-Grave – Gary Dwaine Harl
Photo Credits
- Arlington Police Officer Gary D. Harl
- Image of Arlington Police Officer Gary Harl’s handcuffs and pocket knife
- Obituary for Gary Dwaine Harl
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram – July 17, 1975 newspaper clipping
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 07-17-24
Jason S. Sullivan 