| Born | 17 March 1959 | Pomeroy, Meigs, Ohio, USA |
| Died | 1 October 1981 | Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA |
| Buried | Ross Cemetery | Baird, Callahan, Texas, USA |
 |
| *Cropped and enhanced image. Original image by John and Diana Deason Wasson via FindAGrave. Permission for use granted in bio. |
Jerry was the son of Billie Jean Lincecum (1929-2017) and Robert Carlton "Sonny" Wristen (1916-1993). At age 18, Jerry married, and he and his wife had two children. The youngest was born just a few months before Jerry's untimely, violent death.
Abilene Reporter-News (Texas)
1 October 1981
Security Guard Slain On Duty
By Paul H. Clolery
Staff Writer
An OSI patrol officer was shot and killed during an early morning shootout today when he interrupted a burglary at Bunkley Sound Systems, 3013 S. Danville, police said.
The victim was identified as Jerry Wristen, 22, of Baird. He was shot at least three times -- in the right temple, chin and throat.
"It's senseless to kill somebody over a damn radio," said Mark Bunkley, owner of the store.
...OSI announced it would post a reward in the death of Wristen, the father of two children, ages 3 and 3 months.
...Police discovered Wristen just after 3 a.m.
Police Lt. Jack Dieken said Wristen came upon his assailants and scuffled with them. He said there were scratch marks on Wristen's arm and his watch had been torn off.
Justice of the Peace Clarence Collins pronounced Wristen dead at 4 a.m. at Hendrick Medical Center, where he was rushed by AEMS ambulance after being found.
..."It had to be more than one man; he was a[s] big as a bull," Mrs. Cannon said. Wristen was a 6-foot, 3-inch, 240-pound former All-District football player at Baird High School, and also won the shot put in the district meet.
...Dieken said that Wristen was found slumped in the front seat of his patrol truck when police arrived. Unable to speak because of the throat wound, he could emit sounds over his radio, launching an emergency search for him by other OSI security officers, Dieken said.
...Mrs. Cannon said Wristen had the most arrests of any OSI patrol officers. He had been a patrol officer for 1 1/2 years.
📚 BOOK #AD -- Lost Abilene -- "In 1881 the Texas & Pacific Railroad described Abilene as the 'Future Great City of the West.'...Families rushed to establish the town and set up new businesses, but it was the military coming to Abilene that really made the city's population explode."
Two young airmen from nearby Dyess Air Force Base were arrested and charged with burglary and Jerry's murder. One confessed to being the shooter and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The other denied being involved with the shooting, went to trial, and was subsequently convicted of the burglary charge only. This latter one was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Jerry O'Brien Wristen was my 7th cousin. May he forever rest in peace. ✝️
