The first phase of construction consisted of walking trail, benches, picnic units and tree plantings funded through the Unified Development Code in the amount of $78,479.

The park was named for Patrolman Wheeler, who was killed in the line of duty on October 14, 2005. Patrolman Wheeler died in an automobile accident at age 41 after his patrol car was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at an estimated 100 miles an hour on Loop 410. Patrolman Wheeler's wife, Kim, was an SAPD dispatcher on duty at the time of his accident.

A veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years, he was shot and wounded in the line of duty while responding to a robbery call. He was a Purple Heart recipient for valor in the line of duty.