Sheriff Jalmar Lamar "Jinks" Wilson, Motley County Sheriff's Department, Texas

Sheriff Jalmar Lamar "Jinks" Wilson

Motley County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Friday, November 12, 1976

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Jalmar Lamar "Jinks" Wilson

Sheriff Jinks Wilson was shot in the chest and killed by two armed robbery suspects when he caught them switching the license plates on two cars on Highway 70 at 11:50 a.m.

Sheriff Wilson was driving a motorist back to his disabled car when they encountered the two men switching the license plates from the disabled car to their getaway car. The suspects opened fire with a shotgun, killing Sheriff Wilson and wounding the citizen.

The two men were escapees from a Louisiana prison. Both men, 25 and 28, were captured within two hours near Crosbyton. Both were convicted of Sheriff Wilson's murder. One was sentenced to 40 years, and the other, the oldest, was sentenced to death on August 10, 1977. On March 21, 1979, the Texas Court of Appeals ordered a new trial. He received a life sentence.

Sheriff Wilson had served with the Motley County Sheriff's Department for 29 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

Age 61
Tour 29 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Sentenced to life

robbery, suspicious activity, suspicious vehicle

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I WAS 8 YRS. OLD WHEN YOU PASSED AWAY, I REMEBER HEARING THE NEWS ON THE AM RADIO, MY FAMILY AND I WERE MIGRANTS AND WE WORKED EVERY SUMMER IN MATADOR HOEING COTTON, AND I REMEMBER SOME FOND MEMORIES OF YOU WHEN ONE OF OUR FAMILY FRIENDS ENDED UP ON TOP OF A MOUNT OF DIRT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE JAIL; INSTEAD OF YOU ARRESTING HIM , YOU TOOK HIM HOME. THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF MAN YOU WERE AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MAY YOU CONTINUE RESTING IN PEACE. VERY GOOD MAN

MARIBELL MARTINEZ
MIGRANT

July 10, 2024