In Memory

John Wheeler

Patrolman John Randolph Wheeler
San Antonio Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Friday, October 14, 2005
Cause: Vehicular assault

Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 1093

Patrolman John Wheeler was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at an estimated 100 mph on Loop 410. Patrolman Wheeler was running radar at the time of the 2:00 am crash. Both vehicles burst into flames after the impact.

Patrolman Wheeler was able to send a distress signal from his radio after the collision but was trapped in the vehicle and unable to respond to dispatch. His location was identified through a GPS system installed in his patrol car. The other driver, who had a BAC over twice the legal limit, was also killed.

Patrolman Wheeler's wife was the dispatcher on duty at the time of the accident.

Patrolman Wheeler had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 12 years. Two years earlier, he had been shot and wounded in the line of duty while responding to a robbery call. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

 

Source: http://www.odmp.org/officer/17907-patrolman-john-randolph-wheeler?printview=1


 
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04/30/10 12:56 PM #1    

Philip Roberge

The Recorder, 15 October 2005:

GHS grad, Texas cop John Wheeler dies on duty

Recorder Staff

A 1982 Greenfield High School graduate who became a San Antonio police officer died in the line of duty early Friday morning.

At 1:50 a.m. John Wheeler, 41, was parked on Route 410 running radar, when his car was hit by a 1994 Chevrolet Capri going 100 miles per hour, according to witnesses, San Antonio police department spokesperson Joe Rios reported.

Wheeler’s wife, Kimberly Wheeler, was the dispatcher at the time and sent officers looking for him.

According to The San Antonio Express-News, the responding officers and firefighters found Wheeler’s cruiser through a global positioning system, but couldn’t free him or the other driver, who also died.

She was also the dispatcher on Sept. 29, 2003.

On that day, Wheeler was responding to a call for help from The Shell Food Mart, which was being robbed by two men. Before unbuckling his seat belt, he was shot in the neck by a man with an AK47. Wheeler rammed the getaway car with his cruiser before blacking out, forcing the robbers to flee on foot.

The two men were caught and convicted of attempted capital murder and aggravated robbery.

According to Rios, Wheeler was out for about a year and a half recovering. He wasn’t scared to come back, though.

“He passed up an administrative duty position to get back on patrol,” Rios said. “He wanted to work the streets.”

Wheeler joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. He was stationed in Texas, where he met his wife and decided to become a police officer. He was joined there by his parents and sister. Rios said Wheeler is survived by his wife and two children.

“People who knew him are going to miss him,” Rios said.

Greenfield High School office manager Betty Nee remembered Wheeler as a good student. She said he used to play in the student band and the jazz band. He also ran track and cross country.

Peter Conway, who has been a track coach since 1964, said he remembers Wheeler as always wanting to improve, and working hard to do whatever was asked of him.

Born in Montague, April 2, 1964, he grew up in Greenfield.

Survivors include his wife, Kimberly, his mother and father Margaret (Lemoine) and Clifford Wheeler of San Antonio, his daughters Shayla and Mariah of San Antonio, his brother Jeff of Sugar Land, Texas and Sister Nicole (Wheeler) Bender of San Antonio

 


May God Bless You, Wheels

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