Roll of Honor
Virgil Fred Wiatrek
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Virgil Wiatrek was shot and killed as he and another special deputy attempted to arrest a man who had just committed a stabbing in Karnes City.
Both deputies were working an assignment at a dance hall at 410 W Buchel Avenue when the stabbing occurred during a fight. A man in the crowd grabbed the other deputy's gun and opened fire, shooting both deputies as they tried to regain control of the gun.
Deputy Wiatrek was shot three times and killed. The other deputy was wounded.
The man who shot them was arrested and charged with murder.
Deputy Wiatrek was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and five brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-0E7D2336- 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 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Wiatrek served with the Karnes County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Karnes City 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
Virgil Fred Wiatrek served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Deputy Sheriff Virgil Fred Wiatrek 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Karnes County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Virgil Fred Wiatrek's cause is highlighted.
How Virgil Fred Wiatrek Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Virgil Fred Wiatrek is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Virgil Fred Wiatrek was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Karnes County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
