This was a noble death. It was senseless and I wish it turned out differently and he could have been appreciated as the hero that he is in life as well.

Stanley Keith Guffey, a 40-year-old Texas Ranger, was killed on January 22, 1987, in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, during a rescue to recover two-year-old Kara-Leigh Whitehead. The child had been kidnapped by parolee Brent Albert Beeler, who had also killed the family’s maid, 22-year-old Denise Johnson, in the abduction. Beeler barricaded himself in a house and demanded $30,000 and a car for the girl’s release.

Rangers Guffey and John Aycock hid in the back of a Lincoln Town Car with the rear seat removed to prevent Beeler’s escape. When the car was delivered, Beeler placed the child in the front seat and saw Guffey, who identified himself as a Texas Ranger. In the seconds that followed, Beeler fired a .44 Magnum, fatally wounding Guffey. Guffey managed one shot before collapsing; Aycock returned fire through the car window and fatally wounded Beeler, then pulled the child to safety.

Guffey and Aycock received the Department of Public Safety Commissioner’s Medals of Valor, and the 70th Texas State Legislature memorialized Guffey with a resolution. More than 1,200 mourners attended Guffey’s funeral. If anyone knew Stanley Guffey or has information about his service, please share what can help remember him.