Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nick Wren was shot and killed as he attempted to serve a domestic warrant a mile east of Visalia at 6:00 p.m.
While en route to the home, Deputy Wren met the subject on the road and attempted to read the warrant. The man refused to hear the warrant and pulled out his gun. When Deputy Wren drew his pistol, he shot the suspect's horse. The man returned fire, striking Deputy Wren in the head. The suspect fled, taking Deputy Wren's horse, pistol, and money.
Deputy Wren succumbed to his wounds two hours later.
Two days later, the suspect was shot and killed at a nearby ranch by a posse member.
Deputy Wren had served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, father, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-06C0CBA2- 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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Tributes
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wren served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Visalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Nicolas Wren 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tulare County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 31.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Nicolas Wren's cause is highlighted.
How John Nicolas Wren Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Nicolas Wren is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Nicolas Wren was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Tulare County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
