Roll of Honor
Incident
Highway Patrolman Shafter Wheeler was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a cafe in La Tuna. He approached the night watchman, who was said to be the reason for the disturbance, at the bar and asked if he had a gun. The watchman answered that he did and opened fire on Patrolman Wheeler, fatally wounding him in the head. The suspect was arrested. On October 30, 1934, the watchman, 70, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. He was pardoned on March 13, 1940. Patrolman Wheeler had been with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for three years and had served in law enforcement for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, four brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-5C77DDBD- 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.
Highway Patrolman Wheeler gave the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Highway Patrolman Wheeler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Highway Patrolman Shafter H. Wheeler 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 El Paso County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Shafter H. Wheeler's cause is highlighted.
How Shafter H. Wheeler Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1940
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Shafter H. Wheeler is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Shafter H. Wheeler was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
