Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nick Wren was shot and killed as he attempted to serve a domestic warrant a mile east of Visalia at 6:00 p.m.
While en route to the home, Deputy Wren met the subject on the road and attempted to read the warrant. The man refused to hear the warrant and pulled out his gun. When Deputy Wren drew his pistol, he shot the suspect's horse. The man returned fire, striking Deputy Wren in the head. The suspect fled, taking Deputy Wren's horse, pistol, and money.
Deputy Wren succumbed to his wounds two hours later.
Two days later, the suspect was shot and killed at a nearby ranch by a posse member.
Deputy Wren had served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, father, and siblings.
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
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wren served with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Visalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tulare County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1889, 1 officer at Tulare County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1889, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tulare County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 39; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.2 years.
John was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 39. 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. John had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Tulare County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 31.3% of all 16 deaths at Tulare County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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
Tulare County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Nicolas Wren Jul 5, 1889
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Oscar A. Beaver
Aug 6, 1892
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Carl Oscar Johnson
Sep 30, 1951
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Ross Clifford Cochran
Nov 19, 1951
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Vernon Cox
Apr 15, 1965
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Carlos Manuel Magana
Dec 9, 1970
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Monty Lewis Conley
Aug 5, 1985
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Joe Ruiz Landin
Aug 5, 1985
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Michael Robert Egan
May 2, 1989
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Kevin Eugene Elium
Oct 7, 2005
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Kent Minor Haws
Dec 17, 2007
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Greg Hernandez, Jr.
Feb 6, 2009
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Jeremy Wayne Meyst
Dec 24, 2013
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Scott Alfred Ballantyne
Feb 10, 2016
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Frank Gonzalez Holguin, III
Jan 27, 2021
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Randy Hoppert
Apr 9, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
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