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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joel Wahlenmaier was shot and killed as he and another deputy assisted officers from the California Fire Marshal's Office serve a warrant on a suspected arsonist in Minkler, California.
As the deputies and officers entered the suspect's mobile home the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Deputy Wahlenmaier and wounding a second deputy.
Police Officer Javier Bejar, of the Reedley Police Department, responded to the report of an officer down. He was shot and critically wounded during a standoff with the suspect. He died from his wounds four days later.
The suspect was found dead inside the home after a standoff that lasted several hours.
Deputy Wahlenmaier had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wahlenmaier gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wahlenmaier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Joel is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joel 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 2010, 1 officer at Fresno County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2010, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 48. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Fresno County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46.8; the middle age was 39. Joel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Joel was 48. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Joel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 48. 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. Joel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 16.7%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 15 deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
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Joe Dodd Price
Mar 13, 1907
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John J. O'Leary
Mar 31, 1931
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William Harry Collins
Feb 25, 1937
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Richard Thomas Bain
Nov 16, 1961
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Harold Hurst
Oct 2, 1968
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David G. Graves
Nov 5, 1982
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Jeffrey Sean Isaac
Sep 8, 1997
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Erik Jon Telen
Aug 21, 2001
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Dennis Earl Phelps
May 20, 2002
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Joshua Clyde Lancaster
May 29, 2003
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Joel Brian Wahlenmaier
Feb 25, 2010
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Rod Barron Lucas
Oct 31, 2016
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Jose Cruz Mora
Sep 7, 2020
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Toamalama Scanlan
Oct 12, 2021
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Juan Cruz, Jr.
Nov 5, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
