Incident
Correctional Officer Teresia Wheeler suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a required run at the Alabama Corrections Academy.
She collapsed while attempting to complete the 1.5 mile run. She was transported to a local hospital where she died.
Officer Wheeler had served with the Alabama Department of Corrections for only two months.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Wheeler served with the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Wheeler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Alabama Department of Corrections has lost 11 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Teresia is one of 30 officers lost to cardiac events in AL, 4.7% of the 643 remembered there.
Teresia is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Teresia is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer in AL was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 3.
In 2001, 7 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 78th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2001, 7 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 78th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Teresia was 24. Of the 29 lost to cardiac events in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 46 and 56; the middle age was 48. Teresia had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Teresia was 24. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Teresia had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Teresia was 24. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Teresia had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.7%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 9.1% of all 11 deaths at Alabama Department of Corrections, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Her people
Alabama Department of Corrections has 11 officers remembered here, Teresia among them.
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Archie Brown Boutwell
Dec 10, 1957
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Robert E. Kendrick Mar 23, 1971
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Luell Wheeler Barrow
Jan 18, 1974
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Luther Franklin Fails
Mar 12, 1974
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William E. Donaldson
Jan 12, 1990
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Charles Andrew Farquhar, Jr.
Oct 23, 1994
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William Fredrick Immer
Jul 4, 1997
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Teresia Wheeler
Oct 1, 2001
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Elizabeth Franklin
Dec 7, 2007
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Rodney Kelley
Oct 3, 2008
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Kenneth Levella Bettis
Sep 16, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Alabama Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.








