Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, February 12, 1942
Add to My HeroesCharles Wade Willis
Deputy Willis was shot and killed by a suspect he was preparing to transport from the Taylor County Jail at 317 Pecan Street in Abilene to Dallas to be turned over to federal authorities.
As the suspect stepped out of his cell he drew a .32 caliber pistol from his clothes. Deputy Willis struck the suspect with a leather belt and the suspect fired one shot, killing Deputy Willis. The suspect was later shot and wounded by other officers. He was charged with the murder of Deputy Willis and executed on September 3, 1943.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber
- Offender Executed in 1943
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsJesus Christ proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054
Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department
February 22, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Jeremy Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Chief Deputy Burl Wesley Everman
Bath County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: November 9, 2024

Police Officer Philip J. Schifini
Nassau County Police Department, NY
EOW: November 27, 2024

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025