Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Wiggins was shot and killed while searching for a man who had just committed a murder in Wauchula.
He had been notified of the murder, that occurred near the Petiwate Turpentine Still, and positioned himself at a bridge on the roadway leading from the facility. The murder suspect approached the bridge a short time later. As Deputy Wiggins ordered him to stop the man opened fire, striking Deputy Wiggins in the face.
Deputy Wiggins was taken to Tampa for treatment but died near Lakeland before arriving at the hospital.
The subject who murdered him was arrested and charged with his murder. The conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court. He was then tried for the original murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed by hanging on August 16th, 1918.
Deputy Wiggins was one one of three triplets, and was survived by his sister and brother.
Survivors
Deputy Wiggins was one one of three triplets, and was survived by his sister and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-67ED8886- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Wiggins served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Arcadia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wiggins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Henry Wiggins 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Henry Wiggins's cause is highlighted.
How John Henry Wiggins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Henry Wiggins is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Henry Wiggins was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
