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Roscoe William Wheless
Incident
Location: North Carolina Incident Date: Monday, March 3, 1924 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Convicted
Sergeant Roscoe Wheless was shot and killed while checking a freight train in the South Rocky Mount Yards in North Carolina.
During one of the checks he located three men inside a freight car. As he was taking the men into custody, one of them produced a handgun and shot him in the neck.
Sergeant Wheless was taken to Rocky Mount Hospital where he died the following day.
The suspect who shot Sergeant Wheless was arrested and convicted of murder. He was sentenced to a long prison term in the state prison.
Sergeant Wheless was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Sergeant Wheless was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Sergeant Wheless served with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wheless.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Roscoe is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Roscoe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roscoe is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 1 officer at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 2.
In 1924, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roscoe was 34. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 34; the middle age was 31.
Roscoe was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Roscoe was 34. 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.
Roscoe was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 33.3% of these deaths at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Roscoe among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
