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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 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 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
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
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.

