One of the colorful figures in the law-enforcement work of the Southwest was J.R. Wilkinson, affectionately known as “Dad,” who served as a member of the local department. His experience as a Texas Ranger, a guard on the Mexican Border and as a Deputy Sheriff in different sections of the country, qualified him as a high-grade peace-officer.

On January 17, 1923, while making an arrest in the Amusement Zone of this city, “Dad” was stricken with a heart attack and died in the arms of a brother officer.