Moses L. Wright
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Moses L. Wright

Felonious
End of Watch March 3, 1876
Age 32
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 5 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Moses Wright was shot and killed when he, another deputy, and a Waco policeman attempted to arrest three men suspected of stealing horses.

The officers confronted the men at gunpoint and Deputy Wright disarmed one of them. One of the other men, who had just mounted his horse, shot Deputy Wright and mortally wounded him.

The other deputy, along with Deputy Wright, returned fire, possibly wounding one of the suspects.

Deputy Wright had served in law enforcement with the McLennan County Sheriff's Department and Waco Police Department for a total of 5 years.

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 133rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater March 3rd, 2009

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-C9222C3F
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wright gave the McLennan County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Waco, McLennan County, TX
Platform Identity mcso.mclennan.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1876
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Moses L. Wright 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 McLennan County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

McLennan County Sheriff's Office
3
of 7 officers
42.9% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,461
of 2,422 officers
60.3% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Moses L. Wright's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Moses L. Wright Compares

Age at Death
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Moses L. Wright is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Moses L. Wright was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909