Sheriff’s Office Seeks Clues In Cantonment Murder Cold Case

October 7, 2011

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help to solve a cold case murder at a Cantonment gas station 31 years ago.

On the afternoon on October 4, 1980, a a 24-year-old white male identified as Kenneth Wayne Wheeler was found dead at the Cantonment Elco Service Station on Highway 29. Wheeler was employed at the gas and convenience store as the station operator. He lived in the Cantonment community.

An investigation determined that Wheeler was the victim of murder.

This case has not yet been solved, and the person or persons involved in the death of Wheeler is not known. Anyone who has any information at all regarding what might have happened to Wheeler, anyone who was familiar with Wheeler during the time frame leading up to October 4, 1980, is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Comments

5 Responses to “Sheriff’s Office Seeks Clues In Cantonment Murder Cold Case”

  1. Nobody on September 6th, 2023 2:07 am

    Is anyone still working in this? I have often wondered who was responsible for this. I heard some speculation. Most of it is unlikely and I don’t know anything for myself….It was just something I heard some older people around talking about. A lot of them are no longer living. Maybe someone out there knows something for sure and they should contact the number. I know that maybe the person or people responsible are no longer living, but jist solving this can bring some closure to any loved ones Mr. Wheeler may still have living.

  2. Carol Dudley on April 16th, 2023 4:21 pm

    Kenny was my big brother and was loved dearly. I drove my mother down to the police department seeking answers and there were none. She has since died and never got the benefit of this being solved. She died always wondering and questioning who it might have been. Please find some answers. I was 14 when my brother was killed. It has been 42 years and no answers and we deserve them.

  3. Shelly Worley on March 16th, 2023 7:25 pm

    Kenneth Wheeler was my uncle. He was my daddy’s brother. My dad Gordon Wheeler unfortunately passed away in 1990. I would please like to get this solved for my Wheeler family in Missouri, Uncle Kenny’s brothers and sisters would like answers along with his wife and kids. His 3rd child was born in August 1980 and never knew his wonderful father. Kenny has 3 children that want answers. Thank you
    My name is Shelly Sue Wheeler (Worley)

  4. idunno on October 9th, 2011 12:43 am

    Someone knows……get it off your chest……don’t die hoarding this…..tell it all……..

  5. 429SCJ on October 7th, 2011 5:46 am

    I had heard about this killing, when I came home on leave, We were shocked,this was just not the kind of thing to happen around here. Times were not as savage then, or so I remember. I never knew the victims name. Kenneth Wheeler, a young man, trying to earn a living. I think of the young pizzia delivery driver, recently murdered. I am glad that the cold case squad is on this. People deserve justice. I would like to see this one closed. We have a right to live. Maybe if Kenneth had been armed, he would have stood a chance. Prayers for Justice.