Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joel Wahlenmaier was shot and killed as he and another deputy assisted officers from the California Fire Marshal's Office serve a warrant on a suspected arsonist in Minkler, California.
As the deputies and officers entered the suspect's mobile home the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Deputy Wahlenmaier and wounding a second deputy.
Police Officer Javier Bejar, of the Reedley Police Department, responded to the report of an officer down. He was shot and critically wounded during a standoff with the suspect. He died from his wounds four days later.
The suspect was found dead inside the home after a standoff that lasted several hours.
Deputy Wahlenmaier had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-DCA4FBC2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wahlenmaier gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wahlenmaier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joel Brian Wahlenmaier is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 0.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Fresno County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joel Brian Wahlenmaier's cause is highlighted.
How Joel Brian Wahlenmaier Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joel Brian Wahlenmaier is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
