Robert Franklin Fennell

Wichita Falls Police Dept. — Wichita Falls, TX

Felonious

End of Watch March 20, 1938

Age 36

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Special Officer Bob Fennell died after his throat was slashed by a subject that he had ejected from a local nightclub.

Earlier in the night Officer Fennell had confiscated three knives and two razors from women who were at the club. He had ejected one of the women and her escort from the club. A short time later the man returned, approached Officer Fennell from behind, and slashed his throat with a razor.

Officer Fennell drew his pistol as he fell, but was unable to fire at the subject who continued towards him. The nightclub's owner picked up Officer Fennell's gun and shot the subject three times, killing him.

Officer Fennell had been appointed a special officer by the Wichita Falls police chief several weeks earlier. He had previously served with the Burkburnett Police Department and Electra Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, two brothers, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-F5D40E4A
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.
Special Officer Fennell served with the Wichita Falls Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Fennell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Wichita Falls Police Dept.

Location Wichita Falls, TX

Platform Identity wfpd.wichita.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 20, 1938

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Stabbed

Weapon Edged weapon; Razor

Offender Shot and killed

Special Officer Robert Franklin Fennell 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 Wichita Falls Police Dept., 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Wichita Falls Police Dept.

of 7 officers

42.9% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious