Front view of a government or civic building with classical architecture, featuring large columns, trees in front, and red banners hanging on the facade.

Fallen Staff - Thomas Gahl

Seal of the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, featuring a shield with stars and stripes, a gold balance scale, a key, a quill, and a star.

Thomas E. Gahl’s credentials. Image donation courtesy Nancy and Nick Gahl.

End of Watch: Monday, September 22, 1986

Thomas E. Gahl’s badge. Image donation courtesy Nancy and Nick Gahl.

LINKS:

Officer Down Memorial Page

Seal of the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association featuring an eagle, shield, and stars.

FPPOA Memorial page

Icon of a vintage film camera with a large lens and two film reels.

25th Anniversary FPPOA YouTube video (2011)

Wanted poster and shotgun Michael Wayne Jackson used to murder Tom Gahl.

Plaque to honor the death of Thomas Gahl on display at the Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Washington, D.C. Photo taken by this curator while on TDY at PPSO.

7/8" badge pin produced by the husband of a retired SUSPO ND/CA in 1987 after Tom Gahl’s death. The husband, a Criminal Inspector, designed and imported items from factories in Taiwan. The pin is marked with company name PLACAS Products, Soquel CA. Placas is Spanish for badges. 100 pins were made in gold. They were sold only to USPO’s to raise money for the children's scholarship. Image courtesy Jason Nutter, CUSPO, Southern District of Indiana.

7/8" badge pin produced by the husband of a retired SUSPO ND/CA in 1987 after Tom Gahl’s death. The husband, a Criminal Inspector, designed and imported items from factories in Taiwan. The pin is marked with company name PLACAS Products, Soquel CA. Placas is Spanish for badges. 200 pins were made in silver. They were sold only to USPO’s to raise money for the children's scholarship. Image courtesy Jason Nutter, CUSPO, Southern District of Indiana.

Obverse of 2" coin presented to families and district representatives at fallen staff ceremony on September 9, 2016. Co-designed by this curator and a PPSO Staffer, with input from other national administrative staff. Manufactured by Smith & Warren. Special Note: Marie Curtis’ middle name was thought to be “Christopher” at the time the coin was designed. This curator has uncovered Marie’s middle name was “Frances” and “Christopher” was her maiden name.

Reverse of 2" coin presented to families and district representatives at fallen staff ceremony on September 9, 2016. Co-designed by this curator and a PPSO Staffer, with input from other national administrative staff. Manufactured by Smith & Warren.

Plaque to honor the death of all four Fallen Staff on display at the Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Washington, D.C. Special Note: Marie Curtis’ middle name was thought to be “Christopher” at the time the plaque was designed. This curator has uncovered Marie’s middle name was “Frances” and “Christopher” was her maiden name.

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Museum credential with official badges at the top and a certificate for donating to the museum at the bottom.

Get yours! The first and only credential patch. Leather look PVC based on a 1966 credential. After an approved donation, you will receive a Museum CRED patch. This offer is valid while supplies last and only one patch per person.