Roll of Honor
James A. Wallen
Incident
Inspector Jim Wallen was stationed at Del Rio in Val Verde County on the Texas-Mexico border. Between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm, shortly before closing the International Bridge for the night, Inspector Wallen allowed two Ford cars to pass over from the Mexican side. The first car was driven by I. B. Baker, accompanied by his wife, and the second car by Mrs. C. O. Carruthers, mother-in-law of Baker, and her 5-year old and 10-year old children. The cars parked a short distance from the ferry. Inspectors Wallen and Watkins started driving to town when they had a flat and pulled to the side of the road. The first vehicle with Baker driving passed them, but the second car driven by Mrs. Carruthers turned around started back towards the border. Being suspicious, Inspector Wallen went to investigate on foot. Inspector Watkins was unarmed and stayed to fix the flat. Within minutes Watkins heard a volley of gunfire and saw flashes from the muzzles. They heard the children in Mrs. Carruthers’ car start crying. A woman shouted, “I told you so.” Mrs. Carruthers drove past the disabled customs vehicle at a high rate of speed. Inspector Wallen was found bleeding profusely from a bullet wound to his chest. He was reported to have died at 11:15 p.m. Officers from Del Rio arrested Baker and Mrs. Carruthers. Mrs. Carruthers claimed two rum runners did the shooting when Inspector Wallen came upon them loading illegal liquor into her car. Inspector Wallen shot one of the smugglers [later identified as Bob Bates] two times and had discharged his pistol four times. Bob Bates was later arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to five years in prison. He appealed the conviction, alleging he should have been charged with manslaughter because of his self-defense argument. Bates alleged Inspector Wallen fired first, but witnesses testified Bates shot Inspector Wallen first. The appeals court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial because Bates was not allowed to make the argument of
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Wallen served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Wallen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector James A. Wallen 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 32,587 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 0.8 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Wallen's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Wallen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Wallen is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Wallen was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
