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Wesley C. Sellars
Incident
Special Agent Wesley Sellars was shot to death from ambush by two men at the railroad depot in High Springs, Florida. Agent Sellars was investigating the looting of freight cars by a gang of thugs, who were also terrorizing the community. Two of the gang members were arrested and charged with his murder in 1908.
Both suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was pardoned by Governor Park Trammell on August 29, 1915. The other suspect, an ex-Savannah, Georgia, police officer, fired the shotgun blast at close range that nearly severed Agent Sellars head from his body. He had a history of escape attempts and escaped with the help of prison guard in 1911. The guard was convicted of aiding an inmate in an escape and sentenced to a term in prison. The suspect was apprehended several months later in Cuba and returned to prison. Both suspects were linked to eight unsolved murders in the High Springs Atlantic Coast Line rail yard before and after Agent Sellars murder. They were never charged because of insufficient evidence. The murders and the terrorizing of citizens stopped after the two were apprehended. The pardoned suspect returned to his old haunts.
Special Agent Sellars served several years as a policeman with the Tampa Police Department.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Sellars served with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Sellars.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Wesley is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Wesley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Wesley is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 1 officer at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 2.
In 1906, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wesley was 37. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 34; the middle age was 31.
Wesley was 37. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Wesley was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Wesley was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department; March holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 50%.
August holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Wednesdays: 11.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Wesley among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
