Roll of Honor
Theodore Franklin Wiser
Incident
Location: Nebraska Weapon: Person Offender: Sentenced to life
Watchman Frank Wiser was beaten to death by three tramps in the rail yards at Sidney, Nebraska, at approximately 7:30 p.m.
He was making his rounds when he encountered the three men, who had been drinking. The three attacked him and severely beat him. Two other tramps who witnessed the attack alerted other railroad workers of the assault, but the workers did not believe them.
Several hours later a search was started for Watchman Wiser when he failed to meet an incoming passenger train. His body was located early the following morning approximately 500 feet northeast of the stockyards. His revolver, watch, and money had been stolen.
The three tramps were arrested later in the day and returned to Sidney. They all plead guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison at hard labor.
Watchman Wiser was a Civil War veteran and had served with the Union Pacific Railroad Police for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-551A4B87- 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
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.
Watchman Wiser gave the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha 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
Theodore Franklin Wiser served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Watchman Theodore Franklin Wiser 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 NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 64.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Theodore Franklin Wiser's cause is highlighted.
How Theodore Franklin Wiser Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Theodore Franklin Wiser is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Theodore Franklin Wiser was killed by person.
Incident Location
Military Service
Theodore Franklin Wiser served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Theodore Franklin Wiser’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
