Wall of Honor
Biographical Info
- Age: 47
- Tour of Duty: 5 yr
- Badge Number: 445
Incident Details
- Cause of Death: Gunfire
- Date of Incident: May 19, 2002
- Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
- Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Details
Deputy Phelps was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle at 2345 hours that had been involved in a shooting 45 minutes earlier. Radio contact was lost after he advised dispatch of the stop on Highway 168 at Shepherd Street near Clovis, California. A responding deputy found Deputy Phelps on the ground, and his gun, badge, radio and patrol car had been stolen by the suspect. Another deputy located the suspect driving the patrol car and began to pursue the suspect, who opened fire, shooting out the responding officer's windows. The suspect crashed the car and fled on foot and remained at large during a large manhunt involving over 100 officers from eight agencies. On the third day of the search, the suspect fired at a department helicopter, striking it's rotor blade. On May 25, 2002, the suspect was shot and killed when he opened fire on officers after being surrounded in a trailer in the Prather area of Fresno County.
Deputy Phelps was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. He had been with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for 18 months and had been in law enforcement since the early 1980s. He had only completed training as a patrol deputy one week prior to the shooting. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents, and sister.
Biographical Info
- Age: 27
- Tour of Duty: 2 yr
- Badge Number: 471
Incident Details
- Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
- Date of Incident: May 29, 2003
- Weapon Used: Automobile
- Suspect Info: Apprehended
Details
Deputy Lancaster was killed when his unmarked vehicle was broadsided by a stolen car being pursued by a neighboring agency. Deputy Lancaster was pulling away from a stop sign when his vehicle was struck on the driver's side at 0009 hours. The suspect, who was wanted for kidnapping, was estimated to be driving at 90 mph at the time of the collision. The suspect was seriously injured and a pregnant female passenger was also killed.
Deputy Lancaster was working a crime pattern searching for burglary suspects and was not aware that the pursuit was occurring.
Deputy Lancaster had been with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for two years and is survived by his wife.
Biographical Info
- Age: 49
- Tour of Duty: 12 yr
- Badge Number: 351
Incident Details
- Cause of Death: Gunfire
- Date of Incident: February 25, 2010
- Weapon Used: Assault Rifle
- Suspect Info: Killed himself
Details
Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in June, 1998 and promoted to Deputy IV in September 2005. He was 49 years old and his current assignment was as a detective investigating homicides and other violent crimes.
Deputy Wahlenmaier was a graduate of Fresno High School. He attended Reedley College, Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno. He worked in various assignments throughout his career including Court Services, Property Detectives, was a Field Training Officer, a School Resource Officer and a member of the Search and Rescue Team.
Deputy Wahlenmaier leaves behind his wife, Bev, daughter, Amy 24, son Austin 21, and his parents, all of Fresno.
The "Joel Wahlenmaier Family Memorial Fund" has been established for those wishing to donate. Persons may send their contributions care of the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association, 1360 Van Ness Ave, Fresno CA, 93721.
