HEROES OF THE TOWER TRAGEDY On August 1, 1966 Charles Whitman committed one of the most horrific crimes in the annals of American crime. But on that day ordinary people became superhuman heroes as well. There were many heroes that day. Below are just a few. |
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Two Austin policemen finally put an end to the Charles Whitman's shooting spree. They were Ramiro Martinez (left) and Houston McCoy (right). Martinez was off duty and at home preparing lunch for himself when he heard the news of the shooting. McCoy was on duty and the officer officially assigned to the case. The two men arrived on the deck within seconds of one another and fired the shots that killed Charles Whitman.
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 Allen
Crum was the floor manager on duty at the University Coop on Guadalupe
Street (also known as "The Drag") when the shooting started.
After realizing what was happening, Crum exposed himself to murderous gunfire
to clear the sidewalks and redirect traffic. Crum also administered first
aid to a young boy who had been shot off of his bicycle; he probably saved
the boy's life. He would later lead Austin policemen to the observation
deck and was on the deck when Charles Whitman was killed.
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Austin Policeman
Jerry Day was one of the first officers in the Tower. He had parked his
police unit west of Guadalupe Street and made his way into the building
via UT's West Mall. He was the first to reach the 27th floor where panic-stricken
survivors had to be evacuated. He was also on the southside of the deck
with Allen Crum when McCoy and Martinez killed Whitman.
