Edward Bryan Wheeler
Agency patch
Patrolman

Edward Bryan Wheeler

Felonious
End of Watch April 1, 1934
Age 26
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 67 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolmen Edward Wheeler and H. D. Murphy were shot and killed on Easter Sunday by the notorious outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde. The two patrolmen had stopped their motorcycles on Dove Road, a dirt road just of Highway 114 near Grapevine, thinking a motorist needed assistance. As they approached the vehicle, the two outlaws opened fire with a shotgun and handgun, killing both officers. There was speculation that two members of their gang were also involved Henry Methvin and Raymond Hamilton but it was never proven. Patrolman Wheeler had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for 4 years. He was survived by his parents and four siblings and is buried in Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas. In 2011 Patrolman Wheeler was honored by the Texas Department of Public Safety on the 77th anniversary of his death. The Bonnie and Clyde Gang was responsible for the murder of law enforcement officers in four states - Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas - between 1932 and 1934. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow started their criminal career by robbing banks and quickly became notorious murderers wanted for the murders of nine law enforcement officers. The two criminals were finally shot and killed in Louisiana when they were ambushed by a task force of Texas and Louisiana officers.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents and four siblings and is buried in Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Patrolman Wheeler gave the Texas Department of Public Safety 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Texas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wheeler.

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

Agency

Type Highway Patrol
Location Austin, Travis County, TX
Platform Identity tdpsthp.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 1, 1934
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 26. 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. Edward had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol has 96 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Edward Bryan Wheeler

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol · End of Watch April 1, 1934

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E

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