El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, November 5, 1933
Add to My HeroesShafter H. Wheeler
Highway Patrolman Shafter Wheeler was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a cafe in La Tuna.
He approached the night watchman, who was said to be the reason for the disturbance, at the bar and asked if he had a gun. The watchman answered that he did and opened fire on Patrolman Wheeler, fatally wounding him in the head. The suspect was arrested.
On October 30, 1934, the watchman, 70, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. He was pardoned on March 13, 1940.
Patrolman Wheeler had been with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for three years and had served in law enforcement for 12 years. He was survived by his mother, four brothers, and four sisters.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 12 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Pardoned in 1940
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsPatrolman Wheeler,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of El Paso County.
R,I.P.
A grateful El Paso County resident
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
November 5, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Trooper Alberto Felix
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Abbate
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Moran
Cortez Police Department, CO
EOW: November 29, 2023

Detective James Michael Lett
Benton Police Department, AR
EOW: November 8, 2023

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: November 14, 2023

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: November 13, 2023

Sergeant Jon Arden Jenson
Fort Worth Police Department, TX
EOW: October 28, 2023

Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore
Austin Police Department, TX
EOW: November 11, 2023

Correctional Officer I Kelly Bernard Rolando
Missouri Department of Corrections, MO
EOW: October 22, 2023