Patrolman

Wilson Fugate

Reno Police Department — Reno, NV
Cardiac
End of Watch July 2, 1929
Age 58
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
The Vigil Panel 57 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Wilson Fugate suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a man he was attempting to arrest in the city's restricted district.

Patrolman Fugate was on foot patrol when he encountered a man who was drunk. As he attempted to arrest him a struggle ensued in which Patrolman Fugate suffered a wound to his head. Despite the injury he was able to subdue the man and called for assistance.

A patrol captain arrived at the scene to take the man to the police station. As they tried to put him in the car the man again struggled before being subdued a second time.

Patrolman Fugate collapsed several minutes later as they walked the man into the police station. The subject was charged with manslaughter in connection with Patrolman Fugate's death.

Patrolman Fugate had served with the Reno Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five children.

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 Fugate gave the Reno Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Fugate.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Reno, Washoe County, NV
Platform Identity rpd.washoe.nv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 2, 1929
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 58
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

Wilson is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 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 1929, 6 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 86th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Wilson was 58. 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. Wilson had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

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

When

July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Reno Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Wilson among them.

Patrolman Wilson Fugate

Reno Police Department · End of Watch July 2, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W

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