Prev
Incident
Sheriff Jinks Wilson was shot in the chest and killed by two armed robbery suspects when he caught them switching the license plates on two cars on Highway 70 at 11:50 a.m. Sheriff Wilson was driving a motorist back to his disabled car when they encountered the two men switching the license plates from the disabled car to their getaway car. The suspects opened fire with a shotgun, killing Sheriff Wilson and wounding the citizen. The two men were escapees from a Louisiana prison. Both men, 25 and 28, were captured within two hours near Crosbyton. Both were convicted of Sheriff Wilson's murder. One was sentenced to 40 years, and the other, the oldest, was sentenced to death on August 10, 1977. On March 21, 1979, the Texas Court of Appeals ordered a new trial. He received a life sentence. Sheriff Wilson had served with the Motley County Sheriff's Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpv1tp5kd64bh17td4pk- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jalmar. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
29 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Wilson gave the Motley County Sheriff's Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Matador community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Motley County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jalmar is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jalmar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jalmar 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 1976, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jalmar was 61. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Jalmar had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jalmar was 61. 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. Jalmar had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jalmar was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jalmar had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Motley County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Motley County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jalmar among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Motley County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.