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1 of 1977 William R. Gerth

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William R. Gerth

Metadata

Name	Gerth, William R. "Bill"
Othernames	William Raymond Gerth
Born	12/07/1941
Birthplace	San Antonio, Texas
Titles & honors	DPS Medal of Valor 1983
Father	Raymond W. Gerth
Mother	Myrtle Marie Gerth
Education	Thomas Jefferson High School
Notes	William R. "Bill" Gerth was born in San Antonio on December 7, 1941, to Raymond and Myrtle Gerth. He grew up in San Antonio, and after graduating from high school he served in the United States Marine Corps. Gerth joined Texas DPS in 1963, serving in the Texas Highway Patrol. He was promoted to Ranger in 1975, and stationed in Wichita Falls, Company C. In 1983 he was awarded the DPS Medal of Valor for his actions in saving the life of a DPS trooper. Bill Gerth retired from the DPS in 1993. His Medal of Valor certificate read "Awarded in recognition of the gallant manner in which he risked his own life to preserve that of a fellow law enforcement officer. Ranger William R. Gerth, on May 19, 1983, in Wichita Falls, Texas, responded to a police department radio broadcast advising that an alleged bank robber was travelling on Sisk Road in that City. Ranger Gerth observed the suspect vehicle and requested backup support from a DPS trooper. As the trooper joined pursuit, the suspect vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The robbery suspect exited his vehicle and immediately opened fire with an automatic weapon on the trooper causing minor lacerations and pinning the trooper inside his vehicle. As the armed suspect approached the trooper's vehicle, Ranger Gerth became involved in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect which resulted in the suspect being killed. As a result of Gerth's positive, timely, and gallant actions, the life of the DPS trooper was spared."
Occupation	Texas Ranger 1975-1993
Spouse	Dixie Charlene
Children	Laura, Robin and Kelly
Additional Information	Oral History Interview With William "Bill" Gerth Article Colt Combat Commander Artifacts Article Colt Combat Commander Details

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