Incident
Deputy Jasper Coghlan was shot and killed after being deputized by the Wise County sheriff to assist with the arrest of three men wanted in Parker County.
The three men, two brothers and a friend, were at the home of the father of the two brothers. When the deputies arrived at the scene, the men opened fire with Winchester rifles, fatally wounding Deputy Coghlan. Another man at the house was wounded in the leg by return fire.
The three suspects escaped but were eventually apprehended. The suspect thought to have shot Deputy Coghlan was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Deputy Coghlan had served with the agency for 1 day.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-77EA40D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jasper. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputized Civilian Coghlan served with the Wise County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Civilian Jasper N. Coghlan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wise County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jasper N. Coghlan's cause is highlighted.
How Jasper N. Coghlan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jasper N. Coghlan is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jasper N. Coghlan was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wise County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

