Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Wheeler was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at an estimated 100 mph on Loop 410. Patrolman Wheeler was running radar at the time of the 2:00 am crash. Both vehicles burst into flames after the impact.
Patrolman Wheeler was able to send a distress signal from his radio after the collision but was trapped in the vehicle and unable to respond to dispatch. His location was identified through a GPS system installed in his patrol car. The other driver, who had a BAC over twice the legal limit, was also killed.
Patrolman Wheeler's wife was the dispatcher on duty at the time of the accident.
Patrolman Wheeler was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 12 years. Two years earlier, he had been shot and wounded in the line of duty while responding to a robbery call.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-E77DCDED- 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.
Patrolman Wheeler gave the San Antonio Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio 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
John Randolph Wheeler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John Randolph 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 San Antonio Police Dept., 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Randolph Wheeler's cause is highlighted.
How John Randolph Wheeler Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in the accident
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Randolph Wheeler is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Randolph Wheeler was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
