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Incident
Location: Mississippi Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Executed in 1886
Deputy City Marshal W.T. Wise was shot and killed in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, while working undercover in an attempt to apprehend two men who were wanted for murder in Texas.
Marshal Wise had gone to Pontotoc to extradite a prisoner from Texas back to Mississippi. While in town the Pontotoc County sheriff requested Deputy Marshal Wise's assistance to capture the two men. Marshal Wise returned to Fort Worth where he was permitted by the City Marshal to return to Oxford to help with the investigation.
Upon his return to Mississippi, Deputy Marshal Wise disguised himself as a cattle buyer and made contact with a man close to the suspects. The man agreed to help Marshal Wise in exchange for part of the reward money. Deputy Marshal Wise devised a plan to drug the suspects with tainted whiskey and then take them into custody. The informant, however, betrayed him and informed the suspects of the plan. As Deputy Marshal Wise approached the home the suspects ambushed him on the roadway and shot him with a shotgun and pistol.
The suspects buried his body on the side of the road where it was located the next day by a search team. Three suspects were eventually apprehended and sentenced to death. Two of the death sentences were overturned but the third man was hung in Pittsboro, Mississippi, on July 3rd, 1886.
Deputy Marshal Wise had served with the Fort Worth Marshal's Office for 18 months. He was survived by his wife and children. He is buried in Sarepta Cemetery in Sarepta, Mississippi.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy City Marshal Wise gave the Fort Worth Marshal's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Worth Marshal's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
W. is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1884, 11 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 22. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. W. had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
W. was 22. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. W. had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
W. was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. W. had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Fort Worth Marshal's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Fort Worth Marshal's Office has 3 officers remembered here, W. among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fort Worth Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.