SGT. JOHN ROBERT “BOBBY” VICHA
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 29, 1989
Sgt. Vicha, 39, was shot and killed at his home in Axtell, Texas, while attempting to stop his brother-in-law from murdering his family. Sgt. Vicha’s parents were also killed at their home about one-quarter mile away.
The suspect, Billy Wayne Coble, fled taking Sgt. Vicha’s sister at gunpoint. Bosque County S.O. spotted Coble’s vehicle and a high-speed chase ended when Coble ran into the back of a truck. Coble was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by an appeals court. He is currently serving his sentence in Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Sgt. Vicha was an 18-year veteran of WPD. He was survived by two children.
Sgt. Vicha, 39, was shot and killed at his home in Axtell, Texas, while attempting to stop his brother-in-law from murdering his family. Sgt. Vicha’s parents were also killed at their home about one-quarter mile away.
The suspect, Billy Wayne Coble, fled taking Sgt. Vicha’s sister at gunpoint. Bosque County S.O. spotted Coble’s vehicle and a high-speed chase ended when Coble ran into the back of a truck. Coble was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but the sentence was overturned by an appeals court. He is currently serving his sentence in Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Sgt. Vicha was an 18-year veteran of WPD. He was survived by two children.