Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff George Wharton and Deputy Frank Brugh were shot and killed by a man they had just arrested on a train traveling between Victoria and Edna. The man was wanted for escaping from a prison in Billings, Montana. As the suspect was being put in a cell at the jail he was able to obtain a gun and mortally wounded both officers. Sheriff Wharton was able to return fire and kill the suspect as well.
Sheriff Wharton had been with the agency for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-9FCFB2B1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Wharton gave the Jackson County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Edna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wharton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff George F. Wharton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jackson County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George F. Wharton's cause is highlighted.
How George F. Wharton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George F. Wharton is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George F. Wharton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
