Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Wheeler was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at an estimated 100 mph on Loop 410. Patrolman Wheeler was running radar at the time of the 2:00 am crash. Both vehicles burst into flames after the impact.
Patrolman Wheeler was able to send a distress signal from his radio after the collision but was trapped in the vehicle and unable to respond to dispatch. His location was identified through a GPS system installed in his patrol car. The other driver, who had a BAC over twice the legal limit, was also killed.
Patrolman Wheeler's wife was the dispatcher on duty at the time of the accident.
Patrolman Wheeler was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 12 years. Two years earlier, he had been shot and wounded in the line of duty while responding to a robbery call.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-E77DCDED- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Wheeler gave the San Antonio Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Randolph Wheeler served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman John Randolph Wheeler 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 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 San Antonio Police Department, 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Randolph Wheeler's cause is highlighted.
How John Randolph Wheeler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Randolph Wheeler is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Randolph Wheeler was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Military Service
John Randolph Wheeler served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Randolph Wheeler’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
