Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Wells was shot and killed while making a traffic stop of a taxi cab in the 6800 block of Wayside Drive. He was in plain clothes driving an unmarked police vehicle when he stopped the cab. The taxi driver shot him and then fled the scene. Several citizens followed the taxi and the suspect was arrested. In the trial, the suspect claimed he did not know that Detective Wells was a police officer and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. The man was able to get a second trial and was acquitted of all charges. Detective Wells was a U.S Air Force veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-C24FFD92- 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.
Detective Wells gave the Houston Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community, and 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
Victor Ray Wells, III served in the Air Force (1964â1968) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Victor Ray Wells, III 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 Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Victor Ray Wells, III's cause is highlighted.
How Victor Ray Wells, III Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Victor Ray Wells, III is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Victor Ray Wells, III was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
