End of Watch: Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzalez dies in unprovoked stabbing attack

On August 3, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency  (PFPA), who’s mission it is to “protect and safeguard designated Department of Defense personnel, resources, and facilities,” announced the death of one of their own.  The agency reported the End of Watch for 37-year-old Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzalez, who was tragically murdered on August 2 during a fatal and unprovoked attack with a knife-wielding killer identified as 27-year-old Austin Lanz.  The murderous attack went down at the Pentagon bus platform.

A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officer’s service weapon. Other PFPA officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene.

— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) August 4, 2021

The deceased subject has been identified as Austin William Lanz, 27, most recently of Acworth, GA. The #FBI continues to investigate the incident.

— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) August 4, 2021

Immediately after getting off the bus and without provocation, Lanz attacked and severely wounded Gonzalez with a knife. The two then struggled on the platform where Lanz mortally wounded Gonzalez and took his service weapon. While other PFPA Officers engaged Lanz, he shot himself with Gonzalez’s weapon. ~ The Military Times

Following the attack on Gonzalez, the Pentagon went into lock-down mode.  Normal operations have since resumed.

Pentagon on lockdown. View from Army Navy Drive. Stay w @MilitaryTimes for updates. https://t.co/aROfGqCitM pic.twitter.com/M7BjgPOB81

— Howard Altman (@haltman) August 3, 2021

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Gonzalez was a die-hard New York Yankees fan. He was a graduate of New York City’s Canarsie High School. He joined the Pentagon Force Protection Agency as a police officer on July 22, 2018. As a Pentagon Police officer, he took the agency’s  mission of “protecting those who protect our nation” to heart.

He was promoted twice and attained the rank of Senior Officer in 2020. A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers.

As a military and police #veterans, Officer Gonzalez had served previously with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq.

Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others.

As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger.

Officer Gonzalez’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. ~ PFPA

For more on this senseless murder, see the video accompanying this article.

(Officer George Gonzalez Cover photo, Image credit: Pentagon Force Protection Agency)
(Source: Pentagon Force Protection Agency)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter