Taft Police Department, Texas
End of Watch Monday, July 13, 1953
Add to My HeroesWilbur Frank Edwards
Chief of Police Wilbur Edwards was shot and killed by a subject without provocation.
He was visiting with merchants, asking them to leave their lights on at night for better protection. As he stood in the driveway of a service station he was approached by the owner and shot twice in the head and then twice in the body with a .22-caliber pistol. The subject was arrested and charged with his murder.
The 62-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1925 he was sentenced to 20 years for a murder conviction in DeQueen, Arkansas, but received a full pardon without having to serve any time.
Chief Edwards was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the United States Border Patrol, Brownsville Police Department and Corpus Christi Police Department before becoming the chief of the Taft Police Department. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsRest in Peace Chief Wilbur Frank Edwards. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice Protecting the citizens of Taft, Texas. I also thank You for your Military Service
I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw on the soul of your murderer.
Amen.
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