Sergeant Joe F. Gurney

Sergeant Joe F. Gurney

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

End of Watch Friday, August 12, 1988

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Joe F. Gurney

Sergeant Joe Gurney succumbed to injuries received when his horse fell on him while he was guarding inmates at the Beto I Unit at 1391 Farm-To-Market Road in Tennessee Colony.

Sergeant Gurney was pursuing a runaway horse that had escaped. During the pursuit, he was thrown from his horse, and his horse fell on top of him. He was stabilized at the infirmary before being transported to the Tyler Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sergeant Gurney was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, parents, and sister.

Bio

Age 39
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Animal related

mounted patrol, prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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I was the Warden of Beto I on the day of this terrible tragedy & often think of those who flippantly complain of life being unfair. Joe was loved, served his country, and was a true example of ‘HERO’. I hope & pray his family hold his fond memory each day as a comfort to their soul. May GOD bless the Gurney family.
Terry Terrell
A privileged recipient of Joe’s memory......

Warden
Texas Department of Corrections

September 11, 2022