Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Wesley C. Francis, 94 of Waterloo, died Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Friendship Village Wellspring Living. He was born October 2, 1931, in Waterloo, son of Charles R. and Elizabeth (Olmstead) Francis. Wes graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1950. Following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge in February of 1954.
Wesley married Sharon L. Thein on July 9, 1955, at the Grace Methodist Church in Waterloo. Together, they were members of the Kimball Ave. United Methodist Church. He served the City of Waterloo for 32 ½ years as a Waterloo Police Officer, retiring in 1986. After his daily shift was over, he worked as Park Police for several years. Following retirement, he worked at Black Hawk Courts as a court attendant from 1986 to 1998. Wesley was a member of the Police Protective Assoc, Waterloo Elks Lodge and the Waterloo AmVets
He is survived by his wife Sharon of Waterloo. His son, Mark (Rebecca) Francis of Owensboro, KY.
Wesley is preceded in death by his daughter, Andrea Collette. His brother, Donald Francis and sister Eloise Shepard.
Memorials services will be at a later date with Inurnment in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo with military rites by the United States Marine Corps and the Waterloo AmVets and the Waterloo American Legion.
“A pebble in the pool of domestic tranquility” is how Wes used to go 10-8 from a family fight call. He was an easy going good guy. He was one of the “old timers” when I was a 21 year old kid hired in 1976.
Absolutely one of the best. I had the privilege of working with Wes from when I came on in 1977, until he retired in 1986 I remember he often rode the city bus to work in the morning because at that time police officers could ride at no charge.
Wesley C. (Wild Cat) Francis. According to Wes, the “W. C.” stands for Wild Cat a nick name Wes earned after he was cornered by three unfortunates when walking the beat in an area known to us in Waterloo as the “Block”. The result: one lying on the tavern floor and two exiting through the front plateglass window coming to rest on the sidewalk. Wes soon lived up to his reputation during our first arrest, when he pulled a resisting arrestee from my grip using the “Claw” tactically placed on the now submissive arrestee’s ankle. A smiling-laughing Wes claimed, “It works every time.” I’ll never forget the kindness shown to me, a rookie Officer, by him a Warfighter, Marine and seasoned Police Officer. Another fond memory is playing pool in Wes’s basement during lunch breaks.
Wes was everything others have said and more. One of, if not the best of the “old guys.” The obit doesn’t mention that he was wounded in combat in Korea. The Veteran’s Museum in Waterloo has a very prominent military photo of Wes on display.
I was proud to have worked with Wes at the PD and see him at court. Always very professional. RIP Sir!
Wes was with out a doubt one of the best. We who had the opportunity to work with and around him were very fortunate truly a great guy and great cop.
Wes took prisoners to court, and knew the forms better then the court attendant and some judges, so working there after
retirement was good for everyone. Enjoyed listening to stories about earlier policing.
Our sympathies and prayers to the family. I was proud to have worked with Wesley on the WPD. Always a great guy to work with.
Always a smile. Never heard a bad word leave his lips.
RIP Wes, you definitely were one of the best. I am honored to have worked with you. My condolences to his family.