Roll of Honor
Josie Lamar Wells
Incident
Location: Louisiana Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Wells was shot and killed as he and other members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a double-murder suspect at the Elm Grove Motel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Shots were exchanged as the team attempted to take the man into custody and Deputy Wells was struck. He was transported to a local hospital by another deputy marshal but succumbed to his wounds a short time later. The subject was shot multiple times and died the following day.
Deputy Marshal Wells had served with the United States Marshals Service for four years and was assigned to the Southern District Office in Mississippi. He is survived by his expectant wife, parents, three brothers, and four sisters. His father and three brothers are all law enforcement officers.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, parents, three brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-C7BD0852- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Wells gave the United States Department of Justice 4 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy U.S. Marshal Wells.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Lamar Wells is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Josie Lamar Wells's cause is highlighted.
How Josie Lamar Wells Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Josie Lamar Wells is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Josie Lamar Wells was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
