Isaac Henry Caldwell - Patrolman

Guthrie Police Department  September 7, 1913

About 2:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon September 7, 1913, Guthrie officers Isaac H. Caldwell, 62, and Lorrin D. Muxlow, 41, attempted to arrest Lou Green in his “bootlegger’s parlor” on the south side of Viles Street between First and Second Streets in Guthrie for yet another liquor violation. When officer Lorrin Muxlow grabbed Lou Green’s arm Green pulled away and Officer Muxlow struck him in the head with his nightstick. A fight ensued during which Officer Muxlow again struck Green with his nightstick knocking him to his knees. As Lou Green started to get up, he pulled a .38 caliber automatic pistol and shot Officer Lorrin Muxlow three times, twice in the head killing him. Officer Isaac Caldwell drew his gun and fired at Lou Green but missed. Lou Green fired several shots at Officer Caldwell striking him in the head killing him also.

Isaac Caldwell had been on the police force for two years and was survived by his wife and eight children.

Lon Muxlow was survived by his wife Nora and young daughter Helen.

Both officers are buried in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 5N-5-15  NLEOM – 20E9

Updated September 3, 2023

Harry Callahan – Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service

On April 2, 1894, a posse led by Deputy U.S. Marshal and Indian Policeman Morris Roebacker was involved in a gun fight with six outlaws about forty miles southeast of Pawhuska in the Osage Nation. One of the posse members was Harry Callahan. During the gun fight, Posse Callahan had shot and killed outlaw Tom Crook and the other posse members had arrested William Thomas, John Baker, and Sam Johnson alias Weaver. Posse Callahan was given a hearing in Pawhuska and acquitted. On April 4, the posse returned to Guthrie with their prisoners. Newspaper reports said that the other two outlaws had left the territory.

When Patrick S. Nagle was appointed U.S. Marshal in Guthrie in February of 1896, Deputy Harry Callahan was listed as one of his deputies presiding over the Indian reservations.

When the Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial was being built in early 1969, O. K. Bivins oversaw its construction and research for fallen officer’s names to be engraved on it.

Mr. Bivins was initially informed that Deputy Marshal Harry Callahan was killed when Deputy Marshal Robert E. “Lee” Taylor was killed October 1, 1891. This later proved to be a false report.

OLEM – 5N-2-12

Updated August 11, 2022

Charles W. Campbell - Patrolman

Holdenville Police Department November 6, 1928

Shortly 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 1928, Patrolman Charles Campbell, and Night Chief Oscar Knight responded to a call at the home of a Mrs. Fisher where her two visiting uncles, Jim and Henry Fisher, had threatened her daughters as they left to call a doctor for their mother who was ill. When the officers arrived, Jim Fisher took off running with the officers chasing after him. As the officers caught up to him, Jim Fisher turned and shot Patrolman Charles Campbell in the neck. Both officers returned fire, striking Jim Fisher in the back.  Officer Charles Campbell died at the scene from a severed jugular vein and an artery. Jim Fisher died two days later from his gunshot wounds.

Officer Charles Campbell, 29, was the first Holdenville officer to die in the line of duty, and left behind his wife Della, two daughters and a son. Charles Campbell is buried at Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma.   

OLEM – 7N-1-1  NLEOM – 48W22

Updated October 6, 2023

James J Campbell - Deputy U S Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service May 25, 1891

On Monday, May 25, 1891, Deputy Marshal James Campbell was in Antlers, I.T. to serve an arrest warrant issued by Commissioner Gibbons. Deputy Marshal Campbell located the wanted man on a street in Antlers and attempted to arrest him, but the man broke away from Deputy Marshal Campbell, jumped on his horse and left town with Deputy Marshal Campbell in pursuit on his horse. During the pursuit Deputy Marshal James Campbell was thrown from his horse and “terribly mangled” when his horse fell on him. Deputy Marshal Campbell was brought back to the railway station and placed on the station platform. Attending doctors intended to transfer Deputy Marshal Campbell onto the next train and take him to a hospital in Paris, Texas, but Deputy Marshal James Campbell died before the train arrived.

Other deputies were sent to Antlers to track the wanted man. No record can be found whether they ever located him.

The burial site of James J. Campbell is unknown.

OLEM – 10N-2-2  NLEOM –

Updated October 6, 2023

(First Name Unknown) Campbell - Deputy US Marshal
U. S. Marshal Service November 6, 1886

The evening of Sunday, November 6, 1886, Deputy Marshal Campbell was stationed on the north side of the Red River in Indian Territory across from Arthur, Texas, where he was watching for possible whiskey smugglers bringing liquor into the territory on the ferry crossing the Red River at this point.

There were many railroad workers building the Frisco Railroad nearby and the workers were continually going into Texas and returning with liquor.

Deputy Marshal Campbell stopped a railroad worker after he crossed the river and started to search him when the man drew a gun and shot Deputy Campbell several times then escaped into the territory. Deputy Marshal Campbell was found a few hours later in a dying condition and lived long enough to describe the white man who shot him.

None of the reports give Deputy Campbell’s first name.

The burial site of Deputy Marshal Campbell is unknown.

There is no record of the murderer of Deputy Marshal Campbell ever being identified or arrested.

OLEM – 4N-2-15  NLEOM –

Updated October 6, 2023

Webster Lorain "Webb" Campbell - Detective

Oklahoma City Police Department  October 29, 1938

Webster L. Campbell was born February 21, 1903, at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska to William Lemuel and Edna A. (Dennis) Campbell.  Webster Campbell married Vida Ruhama Berry in Edmond, Oklahoma in 1924.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, October 29, 1938, Detective Webster “Webb” Campbell, 35, and his partner, I. L. McCurdy, responded to a general broadcast of a prowler (burglar) at 518 NW 24th Street.  When the detectives arrived Detective Webb Campbell ran to the back of the house. Unknown to the detectives other officers had already arrived, began pursuing the burglar and had fired shots at him. As Detective Webb Campbell came around the corner of the house, in his dark suit in the darkness, one of the other officers, H. Lawrence Bush, mistook him for the burglar and shot him. Detective Webb Campbell was hit in the left side and died at the hospital a short time later.

Detective Webb Campbell was survived by his wife Vida and three young daughters, Julia 13, Mary Ellen 10, and Edna June 7 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

Officer H. Lawrence Bush resigned from the Oklahoma City Police Department eight months later.

OLEM – 7N-3-8  NLEOM – 41W4

Updated October 28, 2023

William Calvin "Cal" Campbell - Constable

Commerce Police Department April 6, 1934

On Friday, April 6, 1934, fugitives Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow and Henry Methvin mired their car down on a muddy road near Commerce. A passerby observed guns in the car and notified police. Chief of Police Percy Boyd and Constable “Cal” Campbell, 61, went to investigate. As the officers approached the stuck car the fugitives began firing at them with Browning Automatic Rifles. Constable William “Cal” Campbell was killed, and Chief Boyd was wounded.  The fugitives then kidnapped Chief Percy Boyd and released him the next day in Fort Scott, Kansas.

William Campbell, a widower, was survived by two sons and five daughters.

William “Cal” Campbell is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-4-2  NLEOM – 55E10

Updated October 6, 2023

Cynthia Lynn "Cindy" Campbell-Brown - Special Agent

U. S. Secret Service  April 19, 1995

Special Agent Cynthia Campbell-Brown, 26, had served fourteen months at her first assignment as a Special Agent, which was the Oklahoma City field office, in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Agent Campbell-Brown was in her office in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building when was bombed at 9:02 a.m. Wednesday morning, April 19, 1995, and she was killed.

Agent Cynthia Campbell-Brown was survived by her husband of less than six weeks, Ron Brown, who was also a Secret Service agent stationed in Phoenix, Arizona. After their honeymoon in Cancun each returned to their assigned offices hoping that a future transfer would land them in the same city.

Cynthia Campbell-Brown is buried in Cedarlawn Memorial Park, Sherman, Grayson County, Texas.

OLEM – 2N-3-11  NLEOM – 10W20

Updated October 6, 2023

John Mathew "Red" Cantrell - Deputy Sheriff

Murray County Sheriff’s Office  August 27, 1930

On Wednesday evening, August 27, 1930, Deputy Sheriff W. T. Tuck called Deputy John Cantrell, 46, to assist him in further checking out a couple in a car he had talked to earlier three miles west of Sulphur.  Deputy John Cantrell picked up Deputy Tuck in his car. Deputy John Cantrell must have thought it was a mundane call as he brought his sons Emmitt, 14, and Leo, 12, along with him.

The deputies located the car, now facing the opposite direction and at a different location on the Sulphur-Davis Highway than it was before. Deputy John Cantrell pulled up next to the car and as he started to get out by standing on the running board of his car he was shot in the chest with a 20-gauge shotgun by a man laying in the back seat of the parked car. Deputy Tuck opened fire on the man but he was able to escape out of the car. The two Cantrell boys then witnessed their wounded father die.

The woman in the car was arrested and she identified the man who was in the back seat and shot Deputy Cantrell as her husband Bill Grantham. Bill Grantham had shot two deputies in Fort Smith, Arkansas the week before and was wanted for a murder in Poteau.

John Cantrell also left behind his wife Lottie and 9-year-old daughter Joyce.

John Cantrell is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Sulphur, Murray County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-30  NLEOM – 41E20

Updated August 26, 2023

Larry William Cantrell - Officer

Sapulpa Police Department  July 31, 2005

Just after midnight on Sunday, July 31, 2005, Officer Larry Cantrell, 34, was speeding to assist another officer involved in a vehicle pursuit of a suspect. Riding with Officer Larry Cantrell was his father Charles Cantrell, 59, as part of the department’s Ride-along Program.

Officer Larry Cantrell’s patrol car was south bound on Highway 66 with overhead lights and siren engaged. As he approached 96th Street a car started into the intersection then stopped. Officer Larry Cantrell hit the brakes and swerved to miss the car. The patrol car missed the stopped car but ran off the road and crashed instantly killing Officer Larry Cantrell’s father Charles Cantrell.

Officer Larry Cantrell was air lifted to a Tulsa hospital where he died soon after arriving.

 Officer Larry Cantrell had been with the Sapulpa Police Department two years and had served with the Vinita Police Department prior to that as well as serving eleven years in the Navy. Officer Larry Cantrell was single and survived by his mother Iris, a brother, and a sister.

Larry Cantrell is buried in Park Grove Cemetery, Broken Arrow, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-3-19  NLEOM – 49E24

Updated October 6, 2023

Lewis Franklin “Frank” Cantey - Officer

Grand River Dam Authority Police Department   June 18, 2021

Frank Cantey was born November 28, 1951, in California and grew up there. By 1979 he had earned a degree in Criminal Justice, married his first wife, Linda, and had moved to Oklahoma. Frank then began a forty-two-year law enforcement career. Frank served as a Kansas, OK police officer and a Delaware County Deputy Sheriff before joining the Pryor Police Department in 1980. Frank served as a Pryor Police officer for twenty years retiring in 2000 at the rank of Sergeant.

Frank Cantey then ran for Sheriff of Mayes County and was elected to an unprecedented three terms, serving 2001 through 2012 as Sheriff. In 2015 Frank’s wife of forty-five years, Linda died of cancer. In 2018 Frank married his second wife Stacy. Frank Cantey then joined the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) as a part time police officer. It was during his police duties with the GRDA that he contracted the Covid-19 virus and was admitted to a hospital in Tulsa on June 16, 2021. Just a few days after being admitted Frank Cantey died from the effects of Covid on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Frank Cantey was survived by his wife Stacy, six-year-old stepdaughter Addy, adult sons Jason and his wife Becky and their two children, and son Jeff and his wife Heidi and their eight children. Frank Cantey also had ten great grandchildren.

Frank Cantey is buried in Graham Memorial Cemetery, Pryor, Mayes County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 12S-3-1  NLEOM – 52E32

Updated June 17, 2024

Robert L. Cares - Deputy Sheriff

Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office July 5, 1912

Just before 2 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 1912, in Grant, Deputy Sheriff Robert Cares, 39, was trying to get a drunk J. G. Sparks to surrender his .45 caliber Colt revolver which was in his pants pocket. Shortly afterwards Sparks drew the gun and shot Deputy Sheriff Robert Cares in the chest. The bullet passed through Deputy Sheriff Cares’ body killing him. J. G. Sparks then fired a second shot into Deputy Sheriff Cares’ body before running off south out of town toward the Red River bottom and escaping.

Deputy Sheriff Robert Cares was single at the time of his death and is buried in Grant Cemetery, Grant, Choctaw County, Oklahoma.

In September 1912, J. O. Sparks was located and arrested in San Antonio, Texas and returned to Choctaw County for trial. In January 1913, J. O. Sparks was tried and convicted of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Robert Cares and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 4N-3-16  NLEOM –

Updated October 6, 2023

Dick Carey – Posse, Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service

No Deputy U.S. Marshal’s commission has been found for a man by this name. Initial newspaper reports of the shooting incident involving the murder of Deputy U.S. Marshal Isaac L. “Ike” Gilstrap by the Wickliffe outlaw gang on March 12, 1906, also listed Gilstrap’s posses as Odis Tittle and Dick “Slick” Carey, as being killed. Later newspaper reports corrected the information to Dick Terry as wounded and Odis Tittle as not wounded. It appears that the name Dick Carey was engraved on the Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial when it was built in May of 1969 due to these original newspaper reports.

OLEM – 5N-4-5

Updated August 15, 2022

William Haden “Bill” Carr – Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service

William H. Carr was born in a village near Greenfield, Dade County, Missouri, in 1860 to John C. and Amanda Virginia (Scott) Carr. His father John C. Carr was killed during the first year of the Civil War, 1861.   

The 1870 Census shows William Carr, 10, living with his mother and her second husband William Payne near Greenfield, Dade County, Missouri. There are no records of William Carr’s location from 1870 until 1884 when Carr was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshal by U.S. Marshal Robert L. Walker for the Kansas District. In 1887 William H. Carr was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Western District Court in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In October 1890 William Carr married Eva Armilda Black of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City.

 About 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, 1894, outlaws Bill Dalton and George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb (also known as “The Slaughter Kid”) went to a store in Violet Springs in the Seminole Nation to buy provisions. As the two outlaws entered the store, they were recognized by Deputy U.S. Marshal William Carr who was in the store. Deputy Marshal Carr drew his gun to arrest the wanted outlaws, but George Newcomb drew and shot Carr in the wrist. Deputy Marshal Carr’s return shot wounded Newcomb in the shoulder. A bystander named Lee Hardwick, 17, then started trading shots with the outlaws. Deputy Marshal Carr switched his gun to his unwounded hand and kept firing but was wounded in the stomach by Bill Dalton. The bullet exited out Carr’s back. Neither young Lee Hardwick or Bill Dalton was injured.

The two outlaws were able to escape that Sunday morning and were killed the following year. Some reports indicated that Deputy Marshal Carr was killed in this incident, but he did survive. The reports of his death appear to be the reason William Carr’s name was engraved on the Oklahoma Peace officers Memorial when it was built in 1969, mistakenly engraved as H H Carr.

William Carr served as an active Deputy U.S. Marshal with a good reputation for eleven years until late June 1895. On Sunday, June 30, 1895, three armed men escaped from the Oklahoma County jail in Oklahoma City. The three men were the Christian brothers, Bob, and Bill, being held for the murder of Pottawatomie County Deputy Sheriff Will Turner and Jim Casey being held for the murder of Canadian County Deputy Sheriff Sam Farris.

Oklahoma City Chief of Police John “Milt” Jones and Officer G. W. Jackson confronted the three escaping men at Grand and Broadway. A gunfight broke out during which Chief John Jones and Jim Casey were killed. The two Christian brothers escaped.

An investigation found that Deputy Marshal William Carr had possession of Bob Christian’s gun after Carr arrested Bob. It was shown that Deputy Marshal Carr had given Bob Christian’s gun to Bob’s girlfriend, Jessie Finlay, who smuggled the gun to Bob Christian in the Oklahoma County jail. The gun was a forty-five decorated with an eagle’s head and was the gun used to kill Pottawatomie County Deputy Sheriff Will Turner. William Carr was charged, arrested, and released on a fifteen-thousand-dollar bond. William Carr was never seen or heard from again. It is believed William Carr may have gone to Cuba and possibly died in battle as a Captain in the insurgent army in Cuba.

OLEM – 3S-1-5 (H H Carr)

Updated August 10, 2022

Elmer Lee Carter - Deputy Sheriff

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office August 29, 1930

Elmer Lee Carter was born September 12, 1904, in Sherman, Grayson County, Texas to Newton Edward and Ruth Ellen (Bond) Carter. Elmer Carter married Loryne M. Huffhines on July 12, 1921.

Deputy Sheriff Elmer Carter and Altus Police Officer Joe Whitt were attempting to stop a truck suspected of bringing illegal whiskey into Oklahoma from Texas about four and a half miles southwest of Altus about 9 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 1930. When the officers pulled alongside of the truck and ordered the men inside to pullover the men opened fire on the officers. Both officers were wounded. Deputy Sheriff Elmer Carter died shortly after the shooting but Officer Joe Whitt survived his wounds.  

Deputy Sheriff Elmer Carter was survived by his wife Loryne and their two young daughters, Erma Lee, 7, and Bettye Jean, 3, and is buried in Eldorado Cemetery, Eldorado, Jackson County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-3-17  NLEOM – 7E19

Updated August 29, 2023

Wallace Eugene Casey - Patrolman

Tulsa Police Department May 12, 1957

Wallace E. Casey was born October 14, 1932, in Parthenon, Newton County, Arkansas to Lattie Leslie and Martha Clementine (Campbell) Casey. Wallace married Lovetta Dale Little in 1950.

Officer Wallace Casey was involved in a traffic accident with a truck about 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon May 11, 1957, at 47th and Union Avenue. Officer Wallace Casey died the next morning, Sunday, May 12, 1957, from his injuries that included a severed spinal cord. The drunk driver of the truck fled the scene but was soon arrested two blocks away.

Patrolman Wallace Casey was survived by his wife Lovetta and two daughters and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-4-7  NLEOM – 39W14

Updated October 6, 2023

Randolph W. "WR" Cathey - Assistant City Marshal

City of Pauls Valley  November 3, 1907

Randolph W. Cathey was born January 3, 1875, to William Jackson and Amanda Elizabeth (Kuykendall) Cathey. Location of his birth is unknown.

About 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening November 3, 1907, Assistant City Marshal Randolph Cathey, 30, was shot and killed from ambush as he left the Valley Cafe by Jim Stephenson.  Jim Stephenson had openly threatened to kill Assistant City Marshal Cathey since Cathey had arrested Stephenson’s nephew several months earlier and had to “beat him into submission” when he resisted arrest.  

Assistant City Marshal Randolph Cathey was single at the time and is buried in Cedar Knob Cemetery, Salado, Bell County, Texas.

Jim Stephenson was found innocent at trial of the murder of Randolph Cathey.

OLEM – 4S-3-2  NLEOM – 60W23

Updated October 6, 2023

James Michael "Jim" Cearley - Night City Marshal

City of Sparks December 8, 1927

James M. Cearley was born near Hot Springs, Arkansas, on July 28, 1872. After his service in the Spanish-American War, James married Elizabeth Lee Gordon in 1899. James and Elizabeth moved to Oklahoma in 1919. At the time of his death, James Cearley had lived in the small town of Sparks in Lincoln County about two years serving as the night city marshal.

About 7 a.m. Thursday morning December 8, 1927, City Marshal Jim Cearley’s body was found in Sparks. City Marshal James Cearley had been shot four times from a distance close enough to set his overcoat on fire. City Marshal James Cearley’s body was severely burned from the waist up. City Marshal James Cearley’s unfired pistol was found several feet from his body. Four men were soon arrested for the murder of City Marshal James Cearley.

City Marshal James Cearley, 55, left behind his wife Elizabeth and four children and is buried in Kellerby Cemetery, Arlington, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 3S-3-4  NLEOM –

Updated October 8, 2023

James Dewey Chamblin - Patrolman

Oklahoma City Police Department  April 16, 1974

About 3: 25 a.m. Tuesday morning, April 16, 1974, Officer James Chamblin, 31, and his partner Master Patrolman John Campbell, 26, arrested three patrons of the Tip Toe Inn tavern at NE 5th and N. Harrison for public drunkenness. As the two officers were walking the trio out of the tavern one of them, Michael Wayne Green, turned and shot both officers at point blank range with a .38 caliber revolver. Both officers returned fire and hit Michael Green four times. Officer James Chamblin died before reaching the hospital. Master Patrolman John Campbell and Michael Green survived their wounds.  

Officer James Chamblin was survived by his wife Betty and three young children, son James 4, daughters Kristina 6 and Courtney 2 and is buried in Yukon Cemetery, Yukon, Canadian County, Oklahoma.

Michael Green was found guilty of the murder of Officer James Chamblin and was sentenced to death, but his death sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

OLEM – 1N-3-10  NLEOM – 54W15

Updated October 6, 2023

Felix Chapman  - Special Deputy

Okmulgee Police Department November 15, 1908

On Sunday, November 15, 1908, Jimmy Grayson had filed a complaint against a black gunsmith named Newt Decker over an argument about a day’s catch of fish. Okmulgee Assistant Chief of Police Henry Klaber and two brothers, Ralph and Felix Chapman, who were deputized to assist Chief Klaber, went to Newt Decker’s house at Second and Creek Street with Jimmy Grayson. As the men approached the house, Newt Decker, an expert shot, ran out shooting with guns in both hands. Assistant Chief Klaber was shot in the throat and died soon after.

The Chapman brothers ran to Assistant Chief Klaber’s aid, firing at Decker with the fallen chief’s gun. Newt Decker shot and killed both Ralph and Felix Chapman then ran back in his house.

Okmulgee Chief of Police Dick Farr rode up on his horse and tried to assist the fallen Henry Klaber. Decker shot Chief Farr in the right shoulder. Chief Farr took a shot at Newt Decker with his left hand and felt he struck Decker because he saw him whirl around as he fired. Undaunted, Decker fired again, wounding Chief Farr again in his left arm. Sheriff William Edgar Robinson, the first elected Sheriff of Okmulgee County, arrived on the scene and was soon also shot dead by Newt Decker.

Other officers responded and the gunfight lasted over an hour with over five hundred shots being fired. Two other officers were wounded in the shootout as well as three bystanders. The officers finally set the house next to Newt Decker’s on fire. The fire spread to Decker’s house. As Decker came to the door he was shot and fell back inside the house to burn to death.

Felix Chapman was 26 years of age and was survived by his wife.

Brothers Felix and Ralph Chapman are buried in Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-3-11  NLEOM – 54W24

Updated October 7, 2023

Ralph Chapman - Special Deputy

Okmulgee Police Department November 15, 1908

On Sunday, November 15, 1908, Jimmy Grayson had filed a complaint against a black gunsmith named Newt Decker over an argument about a day’s catch of fish. Okmulgee Assistant Chief of Police Henry Klaber and two brothers, Ralph, and Felix Chapman, who were deputized to assist Chief Klaber, went to Newt Decker’s house at Second and Creek Street with Jimmy Grayson. As the men approached the house, Newt Decker, an expert shot, ran out shooting with guns in both hands. Assistant Chief Klaber was shot in the throat and died soon after.

The Chapman brothers ran to Assistant Chief Klaber’s aid, firing at Decker with the fallen chief’s gun. Newt Decker shot and killed both Ralph and Felix Chapman then ran back in his house.

Okmulgee Chief of Police Dick Farr rode up on his horse and tried to assist the fallen Henry Klaber. Decker shot Chief Farr in the right shoulder. Chief Farr took a shot at Newt Decker with his left hand and felt he struck Decker because he saw him whirl around as he fired. Undaunted, Decker fired again, wounding Chief Farr again in his left arm.

Sheriff William Edgar Robinson, the first elected Sheriff of Okmulgee County, arrived on the scene and was soon also shot dead by Newt Decker.

Other officers responded and the gunfight lasted over an hour with over five hundred shots being fired. Two other officers were wounded in the shootout as well as three bystanders. The officers finally set the house next to Newt Decker’s on fire. The fire spread to Decker’s house. As Decker came to the door he was shot and fell back inside the house to burn to death.

Ralph Chapman was 30 years of age and was survived by his wife.

Brothers Felix and Ralph Chapman are buried in Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-3-17  NLEOM –

Updated October 7, 2023

Kelley Allen Chase - Officer Cadet

Oklahoma City Police Department  October 13, 2012

Friday afternoon, October 12, 2012, Police Cadet Kelley Chase was participating in a six-minute physical test, the final exercise in a two-week self-defense training course, part of the twenty-eight-week police academy which started in May. During a take-down maneuver with an instructor Cadet Kelley Chase’s head hit the padded floor mat and he suffered an internal brain injury. Kelley Chase was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital where emergency surgery was performed. Officer Kelley Chase died the next morning. Kelley Chase had served fifteen years in the U. S. Air Force obtaining the rank of Major before leaving in November 2011.

Officer Kelley Chase was survived by his wife of four years, Elke, three-year-old son Kyle and two-year-old daughter Alesia and is buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.

OLEM – 4N-1-4  NLEOM – 6E29

Updated October 5, 2023

Chin-Chi-Kee - Captain

Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse December 12, 1851

About Friday, December 12, 1851, Chickasaw Lighthorse Captain Chin-Chi-Kee stopped and attempted to arrest four whiskey smugglers north bound out of Preston, Texas in a wagon south of Tishomingo, the capital of the Chickasaw Nation. A fight broke out with the smugglers and Captain Chin-Chi-Kee, armed only with a knife, killed three of the men before the fourth, a Seminole Indian named Bill Nannubbee, shot Captain Chin-Chi-Kee in the head killing him.

The burial site of Captain Chin-Chi-Kee is unknown.

Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Captain Chin-Chi-Kee is one of the oldest documented law enforcement line-of-duty deaths in Oklahoma. Captain Chin-Chi-Kee was killed somewhere south of Tishomingo maybe near Madill or Kingston in present day Marshall County. A letter from the Indian Agent to the Secretary of the Interior, dated December 15, 1851, states Chin-Chi-Kee was killed "a few days ago" so the exact date of his death is unknown.

OLEM – 2N-2-29  NLEOM – 62E18

Updated October 7, 2023

Charles E Chitwood - Special Agent

St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Police  July 26, 1920

Agent Charles Chitwood, 37, was shot twice as he attempted to arrest a man, he caught burglarizing a freight car on a sidetrack in Tulsa about 11 p.m. the night of Monday, July 26, 1920. Special Agent Charles Chitwood was transported to the hospital with wounds to his chest and abdomen and died soon after arriving at the hospital. Before he died Agent Charles Chitwood was able to give a description of the black male suspect.

In February 1921 Andy Carr alias Benny Carr was arrested in Oklahoma City for the murder of Special Agent Charles Chitwood.

Special Agent Charles Chitwood was single and an Army veteran of World War I and is buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-1-16  NLEOM – 53E29

Updated October 6, 2023

Charles Francis Christian - Correctional Officer
Oklahoma State Reformatory at Granite

Oklahoma Department of Corrections February 16, 1935

Charles F. Christian was born in Texas on November 3, 1882. His father’s name was Charles Hunt Christian. His mother’s name is unknown.

On Saturday, February 16, 1935, Officer Charles Christian was a victim of an attack by a convict while Christian was supervising a work gang at the Oklahoma State Reformatory at Granite. Officer Charles Christian suffered a crushed skull and died never recovering from his injuries that day.

Charles Christian, a widower, is buried in Rock Cemetery, Granite, Greer County, Oklahoma. Charles was survived by three children, Myrtle, 32, Charles U., 28, and Frank J., 11.

OLEM – 4N-2-11  NLEOM –

Updated October 7, 2023

Perry  Levi Chuculate - Deputy Sheriff

Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office  August 27, 1926

The afternoon of Friday, August 27, 1926, Deputy Perry Chuculate was one of a group of four officers searching for a stolen car about three miles west of Sallisaw.  The officers saw a car approaching them at a high rate of speed. The officers blocked the highway with their car and the speeding car stopped some distance away. Deputy Perry Chuculate started walking toward the stopped car with a shotgun. The men in the stopped car, members of the Kimes gang of bank robbers, opened fire on the officers with rifles hitting Deputy Perry Chuculate in the right arm and lung. Sixty rounds were exchanged during the gunfight until the officers ran out of ammunition. The Kimes gang members then took one of the other officers, who had been wounded, and a passing farmer hostage and left in the other officer’s car. Both hostages were later released near Van Buren, Arkansas.

Deputy Perry Chuculate died in the hospital shortly before 6 p.m. that afternoon.

Perry Chuculate was survived by his wife Ruby, daughter Opal, 14, and two sons Owen, 13, and Odell, 10, and is buried in the Sallisaw City Cemetery, Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.   

OLEM – 8S-2-6  NLEOM – 21E22

Updated August 26, 2023

Briggs Chumley - Detective

Oklahoma City Police Department  November 3, 1924

Briggs Chumley was born February 12, 1879, in Alabamna.

About 1 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 1924, Briggs Chumley, a former Texas Ranger, and Detective Elmer Miller arrested Claude Newton at N.W.4th and N. Olie for the armed robbery of a restaurant at 1101 W. Main. After searching Claude Newton and finding no weapons, the detectives holstered their guns.  Claude Newton then drew an undiscovered gun from inside his coveralls and shot both officers, killing the 45-year-old Detective Briggs Chumley. Claude Newton then escaped but was later arrested in Waco, Texas.

Detective Briggs Chumley was survived by his wife and two children and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

Claude Newton was convicted of the murder of Detective Briggs Chumley and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 8S-2-13  NLEOM – 46E4

Updated October 25, 2023

Frank James Cissne - Captain
Oklahoma City Police Department  April 5, 1937

Frank Cissne was born March 2, 1886, in Holmesville, Ohio, to James Leroy and Edna Baker Cissne. Frank Cissne moved to Oklahoma City in 1907 from Coffeyville, Kansas.

Frank Cissne was the head chef at the Huckins Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City for five years then later operated several restaurants. In 1923 Frank Cissne joined the Oklahoma City Police Department where he would serve the next fourteen years. Frank Cissne spent his first two years on the department in Scout Cars before transferring to the Motorcycle Squad in 1925. Frank Cissne was promoted to Lieutenant in 1930. Frank Cissne remained with the Motorcycle Squad until 1936. In 1936 Cissne was involved in his sixth motorcycle accident and vowed to do the rest of his time on the department in an automobile. Frank Cissne was promoted to Captain in January 1937.

On Thursday morning, April 1, 1937, Captain Frank Cissne’s patrol car was involved in a three-car traffic accident at N.W. 4th and N. Broadway. Captain Frank Cissne, 50, was taken to Oklahoma City General Hospital hospitalized with five broken ribs. Captain Cissne’s condition worsened over the next few days as lobar pneumonia and internal paralysis set in. Despite receiving a blood transfusion from his son, Ralph the morning of April 5th Frank Cissne died a few hours afterwards that afternoon.

Captain Frank Cissne was survived by his wife Elizabeth and adult son Ralph.

Frank Cissne is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-4-21  NLEOM – 46E7

Updated October 25, 2023

David Wayne Clark - Patrolman

Shawnee Police Department  August 16, 1980

David W. Clark was born April 22, 1958, in Shawnee. David Clark joined the Shawnee Police Department on July 17, 1978, serving as a dispatcher and jailer before becoming a Patrolman in December 1979.

Approximately nine months later about 4 a.m. on Saturday morning, August 16, 1980, Patrolman David Clark, 22, became involved in a high-speed pursuit of a silver Chevrolet Monte Carlo north bound on Kickapoo Street. The pursuit continued to about three miles north of Shawnee where Patrolman David Clark lost control of his police car. The police car ran off the road, down an embankment, overturned in a creek bed and burst into flames with Patrolman David Clark trapped inside.

David Clark was survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.

The eighteen-year-old driver of the silver Monte Carlo was arrested about eight hours later and charged with second degree manslaughter.

OLEM – 2N-1-2  NLEOM – 27E14

Updated August 16, 2023

Joseph Cecil Clark - Deputy Sheriff

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office  February 18, 1959

Joseph Cecil Clark was born June 25, 1899, in Duncans Bridge, Monroe County, Missouri.

On Wednesday, February 18, 1959, Deputy Joseph Clark, 59, was in Tulsa driving back to the Sheriff’s Office from Collinsville, where he had investigated a burglary, when he was broad sided by a Tulsa Fire truck at First and Boston Avenue, killing Deputy Clark.. Deputy Clark had entered the intersection on a green light and apparently did not hear the siren or see the flashing lights of the fire truck. The twelve ton fire truck knocked Deputy Joseph Clark’s 1957 Ford approximately thirty-five feet into a telephone pole.  The impact tore the front seat loose and ripped the top off of the countycar.

Deputy Joseph Clark was a widower and was survived by two adult sons.

Joseph Clark is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-16  NLEOM – 4W10

Updated October 25, 2023

Ray Smith Clark, Sr. - Patrolman

Oklahoma City Police Department  May 23, 1936

On a rainy Saturday night, May 23, 1936, at 10:30 p.m. Officer J. A. McRee was driving east bound on the Exchange Bridge with his partner Officer Ray Clark, 45, in route to a fatality traffic accident. When the officers got to the east end of the Exchange Bridge, where it jogged to the right, Officer McRee attempted the turn to the right but the police car skidded out of control. Officer Ray Clark’s passenger door came open and he fell partially out of the car. When the car slid sideways into a telephone pole, Patrolman Ray Clark was crushed between the pole and the police car killing him.

Patrolman Ray Clark was survived by his wife Lela (Hicks), daughter Mary Jane, 17.

Patrolman Ray Clark was the son of former Oklahoma City Chief of Police Waller J. Clark and Christina Ann Clark.

Ray S. Clark, Sr. is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma county, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-4-19  NLEOM – 47W4

Updated October 25, 2023

Walter Norman Clark - Patrolman

Tulsa Police Department  December 10, 1936

Late in the afternoon of Thursday, November 5, 1936, Officer Walter Clark, 56, attempted to arrest Charles Hargrave, an escaped Missouri State Prison convict, for passing forged checks at a drug store at Second and Main Streets. Charles Hargrave shot Officer Walter Clark in the abdomen. Officer Clark returned fire, wounding Charles Hargrave who then escaped.  

Charles Hargrave was killed in a shootout with other police officers later that same day.  

Officer Walter Clark died from his wound at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 10th.  

Patrolman Walter Clark was survived by his wife Mary J. (Wells), a son and five daughters and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-2-10  NLEOM – 29W16

Updated October 25, 2023

Wilbur R. Clark – Officer

Guthrie Police Department  August 14, 1958

Wilbur R. Clark was born in Mound City, Missouri, on April 3, 1913, to Charles Fred and Cora A. Clark.

Wilbur Clark moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 1943 and became a salesman for Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company. In early 1955 Wilbur Clark joined the Guthrie Police Department.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 1958, Officer Wilbur Clark, 45, was alone driving his patrol car when he suffered a massive heart attack. Officer Clark was able to pull his patrol car over to the curb in the 400 block of North Fifth Street before he died. Officer Clark was soon found slumped over the steering wheel of his patrol car by Lt. Harold Shultz.

Officer Wilbur Clark was survived by his wife Irma Bernice (Holeman), and four adult children, Patricia L., 24, William Robert, 22, Cora S.,20, and Donald Dale, 19.

Wilbur Clark is buried in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-4-2  NLEOM –

Updated October 25, 2023

William J. “Bill” Clark – City Marshal

Ramona – Not line of duty

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 1939, City Marshal William Clark, 59, was in the Searsville Tavern on Highway 75 one mile south of Ramona. Witnesses stated that City Marshal William Clark was drinking and was extremely belligerent toward other customers in the tavern when he drew his gun and threatened to kill everyone in the tavern. Clarence L. Sizemore, 29, was standing near Wiliam Clark and told the city marshal “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”  City Marshal Clark then pointed the gun at Sizemore and said he would just kill him. Clarence Sizemore hit the city marshal, knocking the gun from his hand, and quickly picked up the gun. Pointing the gun at City Marshal Clark, Clarence Sizemore told Clark to stay away from him. When City Marshal Clark started toward Clarence Sizemore, Sizemore fired the gun striking Clark. City Marshal William Clark died thirty minutes later in an ambulance while in route to the hospital.

Clarence Sizemore immediately surrendered to the county sheriff and stated that he took the gun from City Marshal William Clark in self-defense as Clark had threatened to kill everyone in the tavern and him directly when Sizemore took the gun away from Clark and that the gun had gone off accidentally.

William Clark was survived by his wife and stepson.

The burial site of William J. Clark is unknown.

OLEM – 7N-2-12 (J W Clark)

Eliezer Colón-Claussells - Correctional Officer

Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Puerto Rico

January 10, 2013

Correctional Officer Eliezer Colón-Claussells and Agent Mayra Ramírez-Barreto, of the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, were killed in an automobile crash near Stillwater, while in route to the Cimarron Prison Facility, in Cushing, to extradite three prisoners from the facility. They were driving southbound on Highway 177, near 68th Street, when another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction crossed the center line and struck their van head-on shortly after 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2013. Agent Mayra Ramírez-Barreto, who was driving, and the other car’s driver were trapped inside their vehicles for several hours and both died at the scene.

Officer Eliezer Colón-Claussells, 35, and the other two corrections officers in the van were transported to Stillwater Medical Center where Officer Colón-Claussells died. Officer Colón-Claussells had served with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections for ten years and was assigned to the Special Operations Unit.

Correctional Officer Eliezer Colon-Claussells was survived by his 7-year-old son.

Eliezer Colon-Claussells is buried in Cementerio Municipal de Salinas, Salinas, Salinas Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA.

OLEM – 9S-3-12  NLEOM – 60E28

Updated November 1, 2023

Thomas Cloud - Captain

Seminole Lighthorse  March 31, 1885

On Sunday, March 29, 1885, Captain Thomas Cloud, led Officer Sam Cudgo and fifteen other members of the Seminole Lighthorse on a search for outlaws in a black settlement on the south side of the Canadian River near Sacred Heart Mission, twenty-two miles south of present-day Shawnee. At the shack of Paro Bruner, they found Rector Rogers who had killed his brother-in-law the previous fall in the Creek Nation. The Lighthorse officers called for Rector Rogers to come out. Rector Rogers opened the door and told the officers he was not going to talk to them, slammed the door and opened fire on the posse with his rifle through the cracks of the shack. The first rifle shot hit Officer Sam Cudgo in the stomach and the next shot struck Captain Thomas Cloud in the left leg. The other posse members returned fire and killed Rector Roberts.

Captain Thomas Cloud was taken to the home of Seminole Chief John Jumper in Sasakwa where he died two days later, the morning of Tuesday, March 31, 1885.

The burial site of Thomas Cloud is unknown.

OLEM – 2N-3-4  NLEOM – 62E18

Updated October 30, 2023

James M. Coats - City Marshal

City of Pryor Creek  December 16, 1914

Near midnight Wednesday, December 16, 1914, City Marshal James Coats, 48, had located Jesse Moore at the Mayor Hotel in Pryor Creek.  Jesse Moore was wanted for failing to return to court to pay his fine for public drunkenness. Marshal Coats’ friend, Austin Whitaker, accompanied him.  The two men went to the hotel room where Jesse Moore was registered and called for him to come out. Jesse Moore however was in the room across from his at the time and fired four shots through the door, striking City Marshal James Coats three times, once in the heart killing him. Austin Whitaker then took the dead marshal’s gun and arrested Jesse Moore.  

City Marshal James Coats left behind his wife Susie and eight children and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pryor, Mayes County, Oklahoma.

Jesse Moore was convicted of the murder of City Marshal James Coats and later died in prison.

OLEM – 3S-2-8 (Coates)  NLEOM – 47W7

Updated October 30, 2023

Henry Davenport. Cobb - Patrolman

Bartlesville Police Department December 30, 1935

Shortly before 11 p.m., Monday, December 30, 1935, Patrolman Henry Cobb, 62, had gone to 518 South Kaw in reference to a drunken disturbance and attempted to arrest Robert F. Holland. Robert Holland began backing away, drew a gun and shot Patrolman Henry Cobb twice, once in one shoulder and once above the heart. Patrolman Cobb then struggled with Robert Holland over the gun, during which it discharged and wounded Robert Holland in the left hand. Robert Holland then ran out the back door. Patrolman Henry Cobb staggered out the front door, collapsed and died in the street in front of the house.

Patrolman Henry Cobb was survived by his second wife Ola, two sons and a daughter and is buried in White Rose Cemetery, Bartlesville, Washington County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-3-15  NLEOM – 19E20

Updated October 30, 2023

Theo Cobb - State Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  June 24, 1951

The early morning hours of Sunday, June 24, 1951 Troopers Theo Cobb and Charles Branch were finishing up their investigation of a traffic accident on Highway 76 two miles north of Fox in Carter County. Trooper Theo Cobb stepped out from behind a wrecker at the scene and saw a car approaching at a high rate of speed and tried to slow it down by waving his flashlight at the driver. The speeding car struck Trooper Theo Cobb knocking him fifty-seven feet. The car sped away without stopping.

Trooper Theo Cobb, 43, died approximately three hours later at 5:45 a.m. in the Hardy Sanitarium in Ardmore.

Trooper Theo Cobb was survived by his wife Julia, a son, Gerald, and two daughters and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma.

Trooper Theo Cobb’s son Gerald went on to later serve two terms as Sheriff of Carter County.

OLEM – 7N-4-14  NLEOM – 39W4

Updated October 30, 2023

William Charles "Charlie" Coen - Reserve Deputy Sheriff / Police Officer
Harper County Sheriff's Office / Laverne Police Department  June 10, 2012

Harper County Reserve Deputy Sheriff William Charles "Charlie" Coen, 57, of Laverne, died in a one-vehicle accident two miles west of Buffalo in Harper County around 12:15 a.m. Sunday morning, June 10, 2012. William Coen was also serving as a full-time police officer with the Laverne Police Department.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Lt. Stan Walker and Trooper Dustin McAtee investigated the fatal accident. According to the accident report, Deputy William Coen was responding to an agency assist call in Laverne and was westbound on U. S. Highway 64 in a Dodge Charger. The report stated the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the right side of the roadway striking a delineator then ran into a stack of round bales of hay which apparently pinned Deputy Sheriff William Coen in the vehicle. According to the accident report, the vehicle then caught fire. Deputy Sheriff William Coen was pinned in the vehicle for just over three hours and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Deputy Sheriff William Coen was survived by his wife Lori, a seventeen-year-old daughter and a twenty-year-old son and is buried in Memory Lane Cemetery, Anadarko, Caddo County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9S-3-10  NLEOM – 24E28

Updated October 30, 2023

James Daniel Coffee - Deputy Sheriff

Wilbarger County, TX Sheriff’s Office February 16, 1918

Between 5 and 6 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 1918, Deputy Sheriff James Coffee and Fargo (TX) Constable Jim Edwards went to the Oklahoma side of the Red River at the toll gate of the Webb Crossing in an attempt to stop and arrest bootleggers who were reported to be bringing whiskey into Oklahoma from Wichita Falls, Texas at this point.

Soon after arriving on the north side of the river at the toll gate a north bound car approached with its curtains drawn. When the car stopped to pay the toll, Deputy Sheriff James Coffee stepped to the car and drew back a curtain. The two men in the car immediately opened fire on the two officers. Deputy Sheriff James Coffee was shot in the abdomen with a double-barrel sawed off shotgun by Charlie Holden, who then escaped. The other man in the car was arrested.

Deputy Sheriff James Coffee, age 45, died at 3 a.m. the next morning, February 16th.

Deputy Sheriff James Coffee was survived by his wife  Louisa and their five young children, ages sixteen to two years of age and is buried in Fargo Cemetery, Fargo, Wilbarger County, Texas.

Charlie Holden, who was out on bond for the killing of Cleveland County Deputy Sheriff Grover Fulkerson, was later captured and pled guilty to Deputy Sheriff James Coffee’s murder and was sentenced to ninety-nine years in prison.

OLEM – 10N-2-16  NLEOM – 36W23

Updated November 1, 2023

John Cogburn - Deputy Sheriff

Roger Mills County Sheriff’s Office, I.T.  June 30, 1902

Sheriff Andrew Bullard and his Deputy John Cogburn were investigating reports of stolen cattle and horses on June 30, 1902. They located a group consisting of four men, a woman and two children about 6 p.m. near Dead Indian Creek eight miles north of the town of Cheyenne.  

While Deputy John Cogburn talked with the rest of the group Sheriff Andrew Bullard talked to a man named Frank Doan about the group. While talking Sheriff Bullard observed a man, Pete Whitehead pass a gun to another man, Sam Green, the husband of the woman and father of the two children.

Sheriff Andrew Bullard started to ride toward the two men as Frank Doan rode away.

After a few minutes Frank Doan heard gunshots and saw Sheriff Bullard fall from his horse as Pete Whitehead and Sam Green rode away.

Returning to the camp, Frank Doan found Sheriff Andrew Bullard dead from eleven wounds from a shotgun blast. Deputy John Cogburn was also dead from being shot in the back.

The suspects, believed to be members of the Bert Casey Gang, had taken the sheriff’s horse and rifle with them. The suspects were never arrested.

John Cogburn was survived by his wife Mollie and an infant child and is buried in Cheyenne Cemetery, Cheyenne, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 5N-4-1 (Cagburn)  NLEOM – 32E23

Updated November1, 2023

Culpepper "Cub" Colbert - Deputy Sheriff
Panola County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory December 14, 1878

Panola County was in the Chickasaw Nation of Indian Territory, an area that encompassed portions of the currant Bryan and Marshall counties, west of Durant.

Colbert Station was near and just north of the Red River in Panola County north of the Texas town of  Denison.

Deputy Culpepper Colbert was assigned to keep the peace at a dance ten miles east of Colbert Station that went into the early morning hours of Saturday, December 14, 1878. About 4 a.m. Deputy Culpepper Colbert took a gun away from a drunk man named Ben Kemp. Kemp immediately hit Deputy Colbert in the head with a cane and Colbert shot him in the side, inflicting a flesh wound. As Deputy Colbert was leaving one of Ben Kemp’s sons shot Deputy Colbert in the left side with a shotgun, nearly severing his left arm and killing him almost instantly.

Deputy Culpepper Colbert’s burial site is unknown.

OLEM – 4S-1-1  NLEOM – 33E18 [Cobert]

Updated November 1, 2023

George Thomas "G.T." Cole Sr. - Deputy Sheriff

McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office  November 21, 1917

In 1917, the United States was at war with Germany and Oklahomans, like the rest of the country, were taking it seriously.

The small town of Bismark in McCurtain County in far southeastern Oklahoma, was named after the German chancellor.

The resident Deputy Sheriff in Bismark was 43-year-old George “G.T.” Cole.

About 5 a.m. Thursday morning, November 21, 1917, Deputy Sheriff George Cole was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Homer Nayles. Homer Nayles was wanted for deserting from the U. S. Army, a serious charge during wartime. Deputy George Cole located the fugitive deserter at a logging operation of the Choctaw Lumber Company and arrested him at gunpoint. Homer Nayles surrendered peacefully but, when Deputy Cole holstered his gun, Homer Nayles grabbed a hidden rifle and shot Deputy George Cole fatally in the stomach. Homer Nayles then escaped but was recaptured by other officers the next morning at his father’s house in neighboring Pushmataha County.

Deputy George Cole was survived by his wife Ethel and eight children and is buried in the old Wright City Cemetery, Wright City, McCurtain County, Oklahoma.

On September 13th of the next year, (1918) the Oklahoma town of Bismark changed its name to Wright City.  

OLEM – 4S-2-28  NLEOM – 64W22

Updated November 1, 2023

Timothy Dale “Tim” Cole - Sr. - Investigator

Comanche County District Attorney’s Office    August 4, 2018

About 6:40 a.m. the morning of Monday, June 18, 2007, Investigator Timothy Cole was assisting nine Agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), members of Lawton Police Department and Districts’ 5 and 6 Drug Task Forces on a High-Risk Search Warrant in Lawton. Upon forced entry, an OBN Agent was shot in the left hand and suffered a shrapnel injury near his right eye and Investigator Timothy Cole was shot in the side by the suspect. The suspect, Darren Howell, was then fatally wounded during the exchange of gunfire.

Investigator Timothy Cole suffered a spinal cord injury from the gun shot rendering him a paraplegic. Investigator Timothy Cole’s health continued to deteriorate for eleven years until his death at the age of sixty-one on Saturday, August 4, 2018.

Timothy Cole was survived by his wife, three children and eight grandchildren.

Timothy Cole’s earthly remains were cremated.

OLEM – 10S-3-14  NLEOM – 59W31

Updated August 4, 2023

Wesley Green Cole - Deputy Sheriff

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office June 9, 1972

Deputy Wesley Cole, 46, was working off-duty security for the Camelot Inn Hotel, at I-44 and Peoria in Tulsa the early morning hours of Thursday, June 9, 1972. About 2 a.m. Deputy Cole was checking for a reported suspicious person prowling around cars in the hotel parking lot. Deputy Wesley Cole found Bobby Lynn Clark, 25, in the parking lot. Deputy Cole approached Bobby Clark and asked for some identification.  Bobby Clark immediately drew a .25 caliber automatic pistol, fired five rounds shooting Deputy Wesley Cole in the heart. Deputy Cole was able to wound Bobby Clark before he fell dead. Bobby Clark was soon found slumped over in his car a few blocks away from the hotel and died a few hours later at a Tulsa hospital.

Deputy Wesley Cole was survived by his wife, a son, and three daughters. His son Lyndall, later also became a Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff.

Wesley Cole is buried in Shahan Cemetery, Broken Arrow, Wagoner County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-2-18  NLEOM – 55E1

Updated November 1, 2023

Reuben D. “R.D.” Coleman - Deputy Sheriff

Grayson County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office  July 8, 1881

On May 5, 1881, Grayson County (Texas) Constable Dallas Hodges was shot and killed by two men, Gravil Goud and Bud Stevens, in Gordonville, Texas.

On Friday, July 8, 1881, Grayson County (Texas) Deputy Sheriffs Reuben Coleman, Erwin and Crabtree along with five other men, including Babe Hodges, brother of the murdered constable, were in Indian Territory, approximately one hundred miles north of Sherman, Texas, in the Arbuckle Mountains. The posse of officers was attempting to arrest the suspects in the killing of Constable Dallas Hodges. The Texas officers surrounded a house with six “desperadoes” inside. When the Texas officers ordered the occupants to come out with their hands up the suspects instead came out of the house firing their guns at the officers. One shot struck Deputy Reuben Coleman in the head killing him instantly. Babe Hodges was also wounded in the head but survived his head wound.

 Deputy Reuben Coleman was survived by his wife Louisa and three small children.

The burial site of Reuben Coleman is unknown.

Babe Hodges lived to be almost one hundred years old dying with the bullet still in his head.

Gravil Goud was killed a few months later near Dangerfield, Texas.

Bud Stevens was never arrested for the murders of Constable Dallas Hodges or Deputy Reuben Coleman.

OLEM – 10S-2-4  NLEOM – 31W22

Updated November 1, 2023

James Clayton “Clay” Collier – Deputy Sheriff

Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office  February 4, 1931

James Collier was born in Arkansas on January 3, 1882. On July 21, 1907, twenty-five-year-old James Collier married twenty-two-year-old Mary Frederick in the Indian Territory.

James Collier became a blacksmith and had a shop in Oktaha. James Collier was also a Muskogee County Deputy Sheriff.

About 6:30 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 1931, Deputy Sheriff James Collier  went to his blacksmith shop to get a tool. When Collier entered his dark shop he lit a match for light and observed a black man crouched down in the corner by the forge of the shop. Collier called the man to him, searched him, and started to lead him out of the shop. The man then turned around and shot Deputy Sheriff Collier in the throat with a gun Deputy Collier failed to find. The man then ran off.

Deputy Sheriff Collier was taken to the hospital and treated. Deputy Collier was paralyzed from his neck down as the bullet had struck his spinal cord. Deputy Collier was conscious and was able to give a good description of the man who shot him. Deputy Sheriff James Collier died the next night, Wednesday, February 4th at 10:35 p.m. from his wound.

Deputy Sheriff James Collier, 49, was survived by his wife Mary and their six children, Richard, 21, Jean Carl, 19, Eva Lena, 16, Ruby Bernice, 13, Mildred Marie, 9, and Bill Frazier, 7, and is buried in Oktaha Cemetery, Oktaha, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

The investigation into Deputy Sheriff James Collier’s death continued and in March ex-convict Tillman Baskins, 40, was arrested and charged with the murder of Deputy Sheriff James Collier. Soon afterwards Tillman Baskins confessed to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 4N-2-21   NLEOM –

April 9, 2023

Benjamin Carter Collins "Ben" - Officer
U. S. Indian Police   August 1, 1906

 Benjamin “Ben” Collins was born March 3, 1875, to Daniel H. and Sarah Adeline (Potts) Collins in Colbert, Chickasaw Nation, (now in Bryan County, OK) Indian Territory.

Ben Collins was 21 years old when he married 18-year-old Hettie Barnard Heald in Healdton, which was named after her father, Charles H. Heald.

About 9:30 p.m. the evening of Wednesday, August 1, 1906, Officer Ben Collins, 31, was riding on his horse through the gate to his pasture on his way home, about two-hundred yards from his home located between Emmet and Nida, when he was shot from his horse from ambush with an eight-gauge shotgun. Officer Ben Collins was able to fire at his assailant four times before he was fatally shot in the face.

Officer Benjamin Collins was survived by his wife Hettie and young sons, Vernon, 3, Daniel, 1 and possibly an adopted son Ernest, 8. Ben Collins is buried in Colbert Garden of Memories Cemetery, Colbert, Bryan County, Oklahoma.

Hired killer Deacon Jim Miller was one three men arrested for the murder of Officer Benjamin Collins but was later released. A man named A. Washmood was found guilty for the murder of Ben Collins and sentenced to hang. Washmood appealed his conviction, and it was reversed by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal appeals. A. Washmood was 74 years old when sentenced and died before he could be released from prison on bond.

OLEM – 5N-5-16  NLEOM – 38E18

Updated November 1, 2023

Dan Collins – Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service

This name and agency code were engraved on the Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial when it was first constructed in 1969 showing his death as occurring between the 1898 – 1907. No record can be found of his service or death as an officer including Deputy U.S. Marshal.

This is believed to be possibly a duplicate of Ben Collins.

OLEM – 5N-4-16

Updated December 15, 2023

Glen M. Collins - Lake Ranger
Shawnee Police Department  December 13, 2005

At 11:43 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, Lake Ranger Glen Collins, 72, was north bound on State Highway 102 in his city pickup when he attempted to turn left onto Belcher Road. An eighteen-wheel gravel truck south bound on the highway struck Ranger Glen Collins’ pickup broadside on the passenger side causing it to flip over killing Lake Ranger Collins. Glen Collins had been a Lake Ranger for Shawnee for thirty-eight years.

Glen Collins was survived by his wife Freda, their daughter Dixie and two grandsons.  Glen and Freda were to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary on December 27th. Freda Collins died four years later and is buried next to Glen in the Kellerby Cemetery, Arlington, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-3-22  NLEOM – 46W25

Updated November 1, 2023

Mitchell Compier - Deputy Sheriff

Hughes County Sheriff’s Office  April 10, 1926

Deputy Sheriff Mitchell Compier, 44, and young Wetumka Police Officer Weldon Wilson, 22, were conducting undercover prohibition investigations when aAbout 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 1926, they made a whiskey purchase in the “negro section” of Wetumka from a black man named Roswell Hamilton, 30. The officers arrested Hamilton as soon as he sold them the pint of whiskey. The officers placed Roswell Hamilton in their Ford car to transport him to jail. While transporting Roswell Hamilton to the Hughes County jail Deputy Sheriff Mitchell Compier was driving the Ford coup, prisoner Roswell Hamilton in the passenger’s seat and Officer Weldon Wilson standing on the passenger side running board.

Roswell Hamilton later related that Officer Wilson had been hitting him in the head with his gun trying to get Hamilton to tell where he got the whiskey they bought. During one of the blows the gun accidentally went off twice. One bullet struck Roswell Hamilton in the arm and the other struck Deputy Sheriff Mitchell Compier. Roswell Hamilton then pulled a canceled automatic pistol and shot Officer Wilson twice causing Wilson to fall away from the Ford. Roswell Hamilton then shot and killed Deputy Mitchell Compier before he could draw his weapon. Roswell Hamilton then jumped from the moving car and escaped.

Officer Weldon Wilson died about forty minutes later after making a statement that they had not searched Roswell Hamilton for weapons as they thought he was unarmed.

Roswell Hamilton was captured the next day. Hamilton was tried in May 1926, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Roswell Hamilton’s trial was overturned and a new trial order by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on August 27, 1927.

Roswell Hamilton was retried in October 1927, and again found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy Sheriff Mitchell Compier is buried in Salt Creek Cemetery, Wetumka, Hughes County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-2-25  NLEOM – 47E22

Updated November 1, 2023

Jarate Dewayne Condit - Reserve Officer

Asher Police Department  February 6, 2018

About 5:30 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, February 6, 2018, Reserve Officer Jarate Condit, 23, was north bound on US Highway 177 just south of State Highway 59 in route from Asher to CLEET training in Shawnee. Officer Jarate Condit was passing another vehicle when he lost control of the marked Asher Police Department vehicle and ran off the right-hand side of the rain slick highway into a concrete culvert. Passing citizens pulled Officer Condit from the unit as it caught fire. Officer Jarate Condit died at the scene.

Officer Jarate Condit was survived by his young son Graysen.

Jarate Condit is buried at Morrison Cemetery, Morrison, Noble County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-1-17  NLEOM – 50W31

Updated October 30, 2023

Bernard "Barney" Connelley - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  August 19, 1891

Bernard Connelley was born in 1848 in Hagerstown, Maryland to Michael and Barbara (Gross) Connelley. Michael Connelley had emigrated to the United States from Ireland and Barbara Gross had emigrated from Germany. Bernard had a brother James and two sisters, Mary, and Cecilia.

After the Civil War Bernard Connelley moved west, arriving in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 1869. In 1877 Bernard married Martha E. Powell, who he called “Mattie”. On September 17, 1878, Mattie gave birth to Addie Connelley, but it appears she died very young. In 1882 Mattie died giving birth to another child. Sometime after that Bernard Connelley was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshal while living in Benton County, Arkansas. After several years Deputy Marshal Connelley was asked to move to Vinita, Indian Territory, a small settlement in the Cherokee Nation to be more centrally located.

On Wednesday, August 19, 1891, Deputy Bernard Connelley attempted to arrest Shepard ”Shep” Busby on warrants for adultery at his home on Lee’s Creek about fifteen miles from Fort Smith in the Cherokee Nation. Shepard “Shep” Busby was a union soldier during the Civil War and a former Deputy U.S. Marshal. Shepard “Shep” Busby shot and killed Deputy Connelley in the front yard of the house. Deputy Marshals were sent to the scene of the murder and found Deputy Marshal Bernard Connelley shot dead in the front yard of the Busby house.

Shepard “Shep” Busby’s son William and two girls that “Shep” Busby had been living with advised the deputy marshals that when Deputy Marshal Connelley attempted to arrest “Shep” that “Shep” got the drop on Connelley, disarmed him, shot him, and then ran off.

Bernard Connelley is buried in Phagan Cemetery, West Point, Benton County, Arkansas.

About a week later Shepard Busby surrendered. He was tried, convicted of the murder of Deputy Marshal Bernard Connelley and hanged on April 27, 1892 at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Shepard Busby’s son William was convicted of manslaughter in the killing of Deputy Marshal Bernard Connelley and sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary at Detroit, Michigan.

OLEM – 5N-2-5  NLEOM – 27W2

Updated August 18, 2023

David Conway – Special Agent

Frisco Railroad (St Louis & San Francisco RR)   June 11, 1908

David Conway had been a jailer at the Federal Jail at Fort Smith, Arkansas during the time of Judge Isaac Parker before going to work for the Frisco Railroad.

Special Agent David Conway was on duty as watchman at the Frisco Toll Bridge over the Arkansas River, five miles east of Muskogee at 10 p.m. Thursday night, June 11, 1908, when he was attack by four masked men and shot to death as they tried to rob him.

Cal Busby, 17, was arrested soon afterwards for armed robberies occurring in Stroud and Shawnee. Cal Busby confessed that he was one of the four men who tried to rob David Conway at the Frisco toll bridge on June 11th along with Fonso Smith, 18, A. J. Taylor, 23, and John Celillah. Cal Busby advised that it was Fonso Smith who shot and killed watchman David Conway.

David Conway is buried at Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

On June 25, 1908, Oklahoma Governor Charles Haskell offered a one-hundred-dollar reward each for the arrest of Fonso Smith, John Chelillah, or A. J. Taylor for the murder of Special Agent David Conway.

All three men were later arrested, tried and sentenced to long prison terms as was Cal Busby.

OLEM – 3S-1-13  NLEOM –

Updated January 18, 2024

Daniel. B."D.B." Cook - Constable

City of Ardmore November 3, 1908

About 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 1908, Constable Daniel Cook, 47, and two of his neighbors, J. A. Sims and Jim Billings were walking west on East Main in Ardmore when they walked by three other men standing on the sidewalk. The men standing on the sidewalk were John Braziel, Pat McCain and a man named Williams.

One of the men in the Cook group rubbed against John Braziel as they passed by causing Braziel to exchange words. Constable Cook advised Braziel that he was a lawman and would arrest Braziel if he did not calm down. John Braziel stated that there were not enough Constables to arrest him at which time both men went for their guns. Constable Cook never fired a shot. John Braziel shot Constable Daniel Cook in the chin and the ball passed through his neck.

John Braziel then shot J. A. Sims hitting him near the heart, causing instant death.

Jim Billings began to run and was shot through the left arm and through the left hip.

Jim Billings continued to run down the street meeting Ardmore Police Officer Redmond who had witnessed the shooting and was running toward John Braziel. John Braziel met Officer Redmond and handed him his empty gun.

Constable Daniel Cook died four hours later and was survived by his wife, Margaret, two daughters and a son.

The burial site of Constable Daniel B. Cook is unknown.

Jim Billings survived his leg wound.

John Braziel was found guilty of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 9N-1-14  NLEOM – 35E23

Updated October 30, 2023

Gary Lee Cook - Reserve Deputy Sheriff

Rogers County Sheriff's Office  October 17, 1998

At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 1998, Deputy Gary Cook, 46, was directing traffic for a youth soccer tournament east of Catoosa on Highway 266 at Keetonville Road when a vehicle struck him. The driver of the car and his male passenger ran from the car after it hit Deputy Cook, skidded 400 feet, hit a street sign, and ran off the road into a ditch. Although the passenger in the car was apprehended a short time later, the driver, Ricardo Rios, remains at large and has eluded arrest by local, state, and federal law enforcement for over twenty years.

Deputy Gary Cook was survived by his mother Juanita and two brothers and is buried in Oakhaven Memorial Gardens, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-1-24  NLEOM – 12E21

Updated October 11, 2023

Sim Carlton Cook - City Marshal

City of Woodville November 21, 1930

Simmon C. “Sim” Cook was born in Texas November 15, 1894, to Joseph and Sarah Ann (Morgan) Cook. Sim Cook married Carrie Lee (Williams) in 1912.

On Friday, November 21, 1930, City Marshal Sim Cook, 46, was attempting to arrest George Morrison, Constable of Woodville and alleged bootlegger, for selling liquor. George Morrison resisted arrest and City Marshal Sim Cook knocked him down. While George Morrison was on the ground his brother Felix said something to City Marshal Cook, distracting him long enough for George Morrison to draw his gun and fatally shot City Marshal Cook. The shot tore through City Marshal Sim Cook’s face, just below the nose and came out through the top of his head.

Marshal Sim Cook was survived by his wife Carrie Lee, 37, and their six children Birdie Lou, 18, Joseph E., 16, Boyd D., 15, Raymond Haskell, 11, Lena Juanita, 6, and Ruth Bernice, 5.

Sim Cook is buried in the Knob Hill Cemetery, Marshall County, Oklahoma, next to his mother, Sallie Cook Bennett.  

OLEM – 4S-2-26  NLEOM – 6W23

Updated November 1, 2023

Sean Freedom Cookson - Deputy Sheriff

Craig County Sheriff’s Office February 27, 2017

The morning of Wednesday, February 22, 2017, Deputy Sean Cookson and his wife Cassandra, an Adair Police Officer, were on their way to training when they were involved in a major vehicle accident. Both officers were transported to the hospital in serious condition.

Deputy Sean Cookson died from his injuries on Monday, February 27th.

Deputy Sean Cookson had just been hired as a Craig County Deputy on February 1, 2017, with his first official day “on the streets” being February 10th.

Deputy Sean Cookson was a senior at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah working on finishing his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Deputy Cookson was also the NSU “Riverhawk” mascot.

Deputy Sean Cookson’s earthly remains were cremated.

Deputy Cookson’s wife Cassandra survived her injuries.

OLEM – 9N-2-16  NLEOM – 38E30

Updated November 1, 2023

Dewitt Clinton Cooley - Deputy Sheriff/Jailer

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office September 22, 1915

About 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 1915, Deputy Dewitt Cooley, 55, was locking up the Tulsa County jail for the night when one of the prisoners, John Murphy, who somehow had pried his cell door open, struck Deputy Cooley in the head with an iron casting causing a gaping wound and a fractured skull. John Murphy then drug Deputy Cooley into a jail cell and locked it. John Murphy then released another prisoner, William Moore. Deputy Dewitt Cooley’s wife, Nancy, had brought him supper and upon hearing the disturbance went into the cell area and was also struck in the head and locked in the cell with her husband. The two prisoners then released a third man, Charles Smith and escaped.

Mrs. Cooley recovered from her head wound but Deputy Dewitt Cooley died a week later at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 1915.  

Deputy Dewitt Cooley was survived by his wife Nancy, a son and a daughter and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Owasso, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-2-15  NLEOM – 24W22

Updated September 20, 2023

Silas W. "Cy" Cope - Assistant Chief Of Police

Wewoka Police Department  January 29, 1928

On Sunday, January 29, 1928, Assistant Chief Silas Cope, 60, accompanied Seminole County Deputy Sheriff Bud Gordon in taking a mental patient to the state hospital in Norman. On the way back the officers stopped about 5:30 p.m. to eat in Saint Louis, an oil boomtown, eight miles from Maud.

As the two officers were leaving the restaurant, someone open fire on them from ambush. Assistance Chief Silas Cope was hit three times and Deputy Bud Gordon returned fire, but the man escaped. Assistant Chief Cope was taken to the hospital but died at 7 p.m. that evening.

Assistant Chief Silas Cope was survived by his wife Pearl and twin adult sons Tuck and Nip and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Wewoka, Seminole County, Oklahoma.

A bootlegger named T. F. “Red” Griffin was later convicted of the murder of Assistant Chief Silas Cope and sentenced to thirty years in prison.

OLEM – 8S-5-24  NLEOM – 38W19

Updated November 1, 2023

W. H. Corder – Deputy Sheriff

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office     October 23, 1917

The night of Monday, October 22, 1917, Deputy Sheriff W. H. Corder attempted to raid the small store of Douglas Jones to search for illegal whiskey. For some reason Deputy Sheriff Corder was not able to search the store and retuned the next morning, Tuesday, October 23. As Deputy Sheriff Corder entered the store he was shot at least five times by Douglas Jones and died within the hour.

Douglas Jones and two of his clerks, G. C. Jackson and J. A. Brown were arrested for the killing of Deputy Sheriff W. H. Corder.

In late April 1918 Douglas Jones was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to ten years in prison.

The burial site of Deputy Sheriff W. H. Corder is unknown but believed to be in or near

Fairland, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-2-18  NLEOM –

Updated October 19, 2023

Sylvester Ralph “Ves”, Cormack - Detective

Tulsa Police Department September 12, 1946

Sylvester R. Cormack was born on May 30, 1891, in Cooper County, Missouri to Gideon T. and Nancy (Cramer) Cormack.

The evening of Thursday, September 12, 1946, Detective Sylvester Cormack and his partner Detective Ben Johnston were standing by a car near the Sophian Plaza in the 1500 block of South Frisco Avenue on questioning a couple of suspicious men in the car in reference to the death of Tulsa Police Officer Jerry St. Clair.  Detective Sylvester Cormack was talking with James Oswell Neely, 17, on the passenger’s side of the car while Detective Ben Johnston was talking with Victor Lloyd Everhart, 23, on the driver’s side. At almost the same time both men in the car drew guns and fired at the detectives. Detective Ben Johnston was hit in the upper right chest and Detective Sylvester Cormack was shot through the heart. Detective Cormack was able to shoot James Neely in the leg before he died at the scene.

Detective Sylvester Cormack was survived by his wife Nellie B. (Watson) and is buried in Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery, Sand Springs, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Detective Ben Johnston died from his wound on Friday January 3, 1947.

James Neely eventually served fifteen years of a life sentence for the murder of Detective Cormack.

On Sunday, February 2, 1947, Victor Everhart escaped from the Tulsa County jail and later that day was killed in a shootout with Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers south of Chouteau.

OLEM – 7N-3-10  NLEOM – 46W11 [Carmack]

Updated September 4, 2023

Lorenzo Franklin "Frank". Cornelius - Special Officer

Santa Fe Railroad Police January 20, 1921

This officer’s correct name is Lorenzo Franklin “Frank” Cornelius.

About 10 a.m. Tuesday January 18, 1921, Special Officer Frank Cornelius, 30, was walking in the 100 block of West Noble Street (later renamed Southwest Second Street) in Oklahoma City in route to the railroad yard when two armed men approached him and tried to rob him. Officer Frank Cornelius drew his gun and a gun battle ensued where some twenty shots were fired in all. The two robbers escaped but not before one of them was wounded. Officer Frank Cornelius was also wounded and taken to University Hospital. Officer Cornelius was conscious until just before he died at 1 a.m. the morning of Thursday January 20th.

In late March, Harry Henry and Bailey Owen were arrested and charged with killing Officer Frank Cornelius. They were later convicted of his murder and sentenced to terms in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

Frank Cornelius was a World War I veteran having been wounded twice in battle and had received the Distinguished Service Cross (the second highest medal for combat valor, behind only the Medal of Honor) and the Croix de Guerre for valor in combat in Germany and France.  Frank Cornelius had been a Norman police officer and a City Attorney at Wynnewood before going to work for the Santa Fe Railroad about a year before his death.

Frank Cornelius was survived by two sisters, Anna and Bessie and a brother, Jesse and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Wynnewood, Garvin County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-2-22  NLEOM – 63W28

Updated January 19, 2024

Harley Richard Cottingham - Special Agent

U. S. Dept. of Defense Investigative Service April 19, 1995

Harley Cottingham, 46, had been an agent for the Defense Investigative Service for eleven years when he was killed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City the morning of Wednesday, April 19, 1995. He had served in the Navy 1969 to 1973. In 1980 he joined the U.S. Veterans Administration as a Veterans Outreach Counselor. In 1985 he joined the U.S. Department of Defense Investigative Service. Special Agent Harley Cottingham had served in the Omaha, Nebraska and Colorado Springs, Colorado, field offices before being assigned to the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma office in 1991. Harley Cottingham was an avid golfer and had recently played the historic links at St. Andrews in Scotland.  

Harley Cottingham is buried in Lewiston Cemetery, Union, Cass County, Nebraska.

OLEM – 2N-3-17  NLEOM – – –

Updated November 1, 2023

Henry Lester Cotton - Officer

Perkis Police Department  April 29, 1986

Just after 11p.m. the evening of Friday, March 28, 1986, Officer Henry Cotton, 44, went into a bar located at Main and Stumbo streets in Perkins to arrest Robert Fields, whom Cotton had observed park his car in front of the bar. Officer Cotton knew Robert Fields was driving under suspension. When Robert Fields saw Officer Cotton approaching him in the parking lot, he ran into the bar. While attempting to arrest Robert Fields in the bar Fields resisted and Officer Cotton struck him in the head with his flashlight. At that time Robert Field’s brother Bruce attacked Officer Henry Cotton from behind.  Officer Cotton flipped Bruce Fields over his back and into the bar. Robert Fields grabbed Officer Cotton’s flashlight but was grabbed by other customers in the bar. A friend of the Fields’, Chris Nelson had been “mouthing off” at Officer Cotton the whole time. With the help of other officers who arrived to help Officer Cotton, all three men were arrested and placed in jail. Officer Henry Cotton was injured in the fight and after placing the three men in jail he went to the hospital. Officer Henry Cotton had pulled all the muscles in his groin during the fight which would require two surgeries to repair the damage. Three weeks after the first surgery Officer Cotton was home recovering when on Tuesday, April 29th he suffered a pulmonary embolism and died from a blood clot that had formed on the incision.

Officer Henry Cotton was survived by his wife Martha and two sons Michael, 20, and Jason, 7 and is buried in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.

Robert “Bobby” Fields went on to become a law enforcement officer himself and eventually become Chief of the Iowa Tribal Police.

OLEM – 9N-3-16   NLEOM – 37E30

Updated November 1, 2023

Joseph Winford "Joe" Cotton - Chief of Police

Wewoka Police Department  June 27, 1953

About 7:15 p.m., Saturday, June 27, 1953, Chief Joseph Cotton rode with Officer Carl Sullinger to a disturbance call involving a mental patient named Joe Sisney, 60, who was carrying a 16-gauge shotgun.

As the officers pulled up in front of the house, Joe Sisney opened fire on them with the shotgun. The first shot blew out one of the police car’s windows and hit Chief Joseph Cotton in the head and Officer Carl Sullinger in the shoulder. The two officers got out of the car, took cover on the driver’s side, and returned fire. At one-point Chief Cotton raised up to shoot and was wounded in the face by another shotgun blast and was killed.  

Chief Joseph Cotton was survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter and is buried in Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma.

Joe Sisney was arrested and charged with the murder of Chief Joseph Cotton.

OLEM – 7N-3-14 (Cotten)  NLEOM – 4E22

Updated November 1, 2023

Fred Beaumont Counts - Patrolman

Oklahoma City Police Department  August 22, 1938

Fred B. Counts was born November 15, 1910, in Abington, Virginia, to James D. and Helen A. (McNew) Counts. Fred Counts joined the Oklahoma City Police Department on July 1, 1936.

Patrolman Fred Counts, 27, was the passenger in a police car that was involved in a collision with a fire truck at N.E. 10th and N. Durland late Monday night, August 22, 1938. The police car, driven by Officer L. R. Puett, and the fire truck were responding to the same fire call with red lights flashing and sirens sounding.  Officer Fred Counts was killed in the crash and Officer L. R. Puett’s chest was crushed but he survived. Four firemen were also injured when the fire truck overturned.

Patrolman Fred Counts was survived by his wife Lucile (Hurry) and is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-2-11  NLEOM – 44W4

Updated August 21, 2023

Raymond Frederick Cowan - Captain
Tulsa Police Department  February 4, 1947

While serving as Desk Sergeant in the jail, Raymond Cowan interceded in a fight between a prisoner and another officer. During the fight Sergeant Raymond Cowan received a severe blow to the head. Sergeant Raymond Cowen was later promoted to Captain in 1936 and retired in 1946. Captain Raymond Cowan died on February 4, 1947, six months after retiring, do to both a heart attack and the after-effects of the on-duty head injury.

Captain Raymond Cowan was survived by his wife Rebecca and is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Dallas County, Missouri.

OLEM -7N-2-21  NLEOM – 5E10

Updated November 1, 2023

Leroy Elmo Cowles - Patrolman

Tulsa Police Department  September 8, 1961

Leroy E. Cowles was born December 5, 1920, at Rocky, Washita County, Oklahoma to Leroy W. and Harriet Pearl (Devin) Cowels.

On Friday afternoon, September 8, 1961, Officer Leroy Cowles was involved in a traffic accident at Denver Avenue and 15th Street while pursuing a speeding motorist on his police motorcycle. Officer Leroy Cowles was thrown over the top of the car he struck and died from multiple injuries including a crushed chest and fractured skull. The other driver was slightly injured in the accident. The speeding motorist being pursued was never identified.

Patrolman Leroy Cowles is buried in Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery, Sand Springs, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-5-10  NLEOM – 51E5

Updated September 3, 2023

Albert Jerald "Abe" Cox - Supervisor

Oklahoma Department of Corrections  March 5, 1977

Correctional Officer Albert Cox, 47, was a supervisor at the State Penitentiary’s chicken farm on the prison grounds in McAlester on Saturday, March 5, 1977. At 12:40 p.m. that day both Supervisor Albert Cox and inmate trustee Edward Lyle Hall, 30, were discovered missing.

At 4:45 p.m. Supervisor Albert Cox’s body was found in a chicken coop under more than two dozen fifty-pound bags of feed with multiple stab wounds and his throat slashed. Trustee Hall had taken Supervisor Cox’s prison pickup and drove eighty miles southwest to the Washita River near Tishomingo where he kidnapped a farmer and his eleven-year-old young son. A short time later Edward Hall released both unharmed and took their car. Five days later the stolen car was found abandoned in Florida. On Tuesday, October 4, 1977, Edward Hall was arrested by the FBI in Denver, Colorado.

Albert Cox had served with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for twelve years and left behind a wife and two children.

Albert Cox is buried in Ulan Cemetery, Ulan, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.

Edward Hall had been in prison serving a 15-year sentence for a 1974 robbery. He was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Albert Cox and sentenced to death. In 1982 his conviction was overturned, and a new trial ordered. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 1N-3-17 (Andrew J Cox)  NLEOM – 9E2

Updated November 1, 2023

David S. Cox - Deputy Sheriff

Hughes County Sheriff’s Office  January 31, 1908

About noon on Friday, January 31, 1908, a gunshot, and an outcry were heard from inside C. E. Sneed’s shooting gallery in Holdenville. Rushing inside bystanders found Deputy David Cox shot in the left breast area. Deputy Cox died forty minutes later at a local doctor’s office.

Before dying, Deputy David Cox stated that C. E. Sneed showed him an unloaded gun then loaded it, pointed it at Deputy Cox and snapped the trigger. Deputy Cox then exclaimed to him not to snap it again, but Sneed did, and the gun fired.  Deputy David Cox had previously searched Sneed’s business for stolen property.

Deputy David Cox left behind a wife and seven children and is buried in Glory Cemetery, Hughes County, Oklahoma.

C. E. Sneed was later tried for the murder of Deputy David Cox and acquitted of the charges.

OLEM – 4N-3-3  NLEOM – 13E22

Updated November 1, 2023

John Thomas "Tom" Cox - Constable/Deputy Sheriff

Konawa / Seminole County Sheriff’s Office August 16, 1933

On Wednesday evening August 16, 1933, Constable James Cox and Deputy Constable Andrew Stephens were attempting to arrest Wiley Williams at a gas station in Konawa where he had tried to pay for some gas with a bad check. Constable James Cox told Wiley Williams to get in the police car, but instead Wiley Williams drew a gun. Constable Cox grabbed the gun and wrestled Williams for it. Wiley Williams fired the gun twice, striking Constable James Cox in the abdomen and Constable Andrew Stephens in the foot. Constable Stephens returned fire, but Wiley Williams escaped until he was recaptured later that night.  

Constable James Cox was taken to an Ada hospital where he was operated on for the wound to his bladder, but he died about 8 p.m. that Wednesday night.

James Cox, 70, had been widowed a month earlier when his wife Sarah died but was survived by five daughters and a son.

James Cox is buried next to his wife Sarah in the Konawa Memorial Cemetery, Konawa, Seminole County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-5-26 (JT)   NLEOM –

Updated August 16, 2023

Robert "Bob" Cox - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service

About 3 a.m. the morning of Sunday, April 13, 1890, Deputy Robert Cox, and Deputy U. S. Marshal Charley Canon arrested and handcuffed Ed Louthers for selling whiskey during a barn dance in Claremore. A father and son named Alex and Jesse Cochran witnessed the arrest and decided to free Ed Louthers from the deputy marshals. As Deputy Marshal Robert Cox reached into a closet to retrieve his rifle, Alex Cochran shot him in the neck, the bullet ranging downwards. Deputy Marshal Charley Canon returned fire and the men fired a dozen shots, another one striking Deputy Marshal Robert Cox in the thigh. The Cochrans and the prisoner Ed Louthers, still wearing handcuffs, escaped during the gunfire. Although Deputy Marshal Robert Cox’s wounds were first thought “not serious”, it was reported in local newspapers that he died the next day Monday, April 14th.

More recent research indicates that Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert “Bob” Cox did not die from his wounds as reported.

OLEM – 5N-3-8  NLEOM – 13E6

Updated November 1, 2023

Larry Verne Crabtree - State Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  April 4, 1977

About 5 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 1977, Trooper Larry Crabtree, 43, stopped a red Volkswagen with Missouri plates three miles west of Bristow on the Turner Turnpike. As Trooper Crabtree approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, he was shot once in the chest with a .410-gauge shotgun and died almost instantly.

The red Volkswagen left but was soon stopped thirteen miles down the turnpike. Five persons were taken into custody however only a Missouri runaway named Monty Lee Eddings, 16, was charged with the murder as an adult. Monty Eddings was convicted and sentenced to death, but his death sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

Trooper Larry Crabtree had been a Trooper thirteen years and was survived by his wife Beverly and their three sons.

Larry Crabtree is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, Pawnee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-3-18  NLEOM – 51W11

Updated November 1, 2023

Brian Keith Crain - Sergeant

Jenks Police Department  February 23, 2019

The afternoon of Friday, February 22, 2019, Sergeant Brian Crain was the Patrol Division shift supervisor from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sergeant Crain had responded to several calls with other officers and assisted on multiple calls as Supervisor during the shift.

On Saturday, February 23rd at approximately 1 p.m. Sergeant Brian Crain began to complain of chest pain to his wife. At 2:38 p.m. he became unconscious. His wife called 911. EMTs worked on Sergeant Crain for thirty-five minutes attempting to resuscitate him. Sergeant Brian Crain was then transported to St. Francis Hospital where he was treated by medical staff for ninety minutes, but Sergeant Brian Crain died at 4:46 p.m.

Brian Crain had been with the Jenks Police Department for nineteen years.

Sergeant Brian Crain was survived by his wife Lisa, and sons Hunter, Gavin and Ethan and is buried in Bixby Cemetery, Bixby, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-1-15  NLEOM – 29W32

Updated November 1, 2023

Henry Bolivar Crane - Deputy Sheriff

Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office  June 18, 1914

The night of Wednesday, June 17, 1914, Deputy Sheriff Henry Crane, 34, had been a deputy for seven years and along with Deputy Sheriff Jim Barnes were ordered to ride out to the R. M. Chesser cabin near McLain to provide protection for Chesser’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Ruth, who Chesser feared would be kidnapped.

When the deputies arrived at the cabin, Deputy Sheriff Henry Crane jumped over the fence while Deputy Sheriff Jim Barnes was tying up their horses.  Deputy Sheriff Henry Crane was immediately fired upon by shotguns from inside the cabin and wounded. Deputy Sheriff Jim Barnes immediately rode back to Muskogee and returned with a posse the next morning.

Deputy Sheriff Henry Crane had died during the night. The elderly R. M. Chesser and a friend, W. A. Reeve mistook Deputy Sheriff Crane for a kidnapper and were arrested for shooting him.

Deputy Sheriff Henry Crane was survived by his wife Sarah, three of her children from a previous marriage and their son, Ted, 6.

The exact burial site of Henry B. Crane is unknown but believed to be in Rock Grove Cemetery, Keeton, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-2   NLEOM – 33E23

Updated November 1, 2023

Wade J.T. Crank - City Marshal

Tecumseh August 1, 1899

Wade Crank, 74, had been City Marshal about a month when the afternoon of August 1, 1899, two men became involved in a fist fight on a street in Tecumseh. City Marshal Wade Crank ran up to the men and as he grabbed one of the men to arrest him Marshal Crank suffered a heart attack and fell dead at the men’s feet.

Marshal Wade Crank was survived by his wife and two small children and is buried in the Tecumseh Mission Cemetery, Tecumseh, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-2-15  NLEOM –

Updated November 1, 2023

Benjamin Franklin "Benny" Cravatt - Detective

Oklahoma City Police Department  July 16, 1954

The evening of Friday, July 16, 1954, Detective “Benny” Cravatt, 45, had received information on a possible abduction of the assistant store manager at the Jones Boys Supermarket at S.E. 44th and S. Shields. Believing that the suspects may return and try to open the safe Detective Cravatt waited inside the store while his partner Detective Bill Rackley waited outside.  

Two suspects soon returned with Fanny Ransom, the store’s bookkeeper, who was kidnapped from her home and brought to the store to open the safe. Detective “Benny” Cravatt ordered the two men to surrender but he was jumped by one of them. Before Detective Rackley could get inside the store he heard shots from inside and saw a man running from the store. Detective Rackley exchanged shots with the man, but he got away. Inside Detective Rackley found Detective “Benny” Cravatt dead on the floor from a gunshot through his heart. Nearby was the other man, Raymond Carroll Price, wounded in the leg.

The next day a wounded Hurbie Franklin Farris, Jr. was arrested in Shawnee. Further investigation led to the arrest of James Edward Skinner. Raymond Price and James Skinner were convicted and given life sentences. Hurbie Farris, the triggerman, was given a death sentence and died in Oklahoma’s electric chair on January 18, 1956.

Detective Benjamin “Benny” Cravatt was survived by his wife Lucille and two sons, Lemuel and Benjamin F., Jr. and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-4-4  NLEOM – 28W8

Updated November 1, 2023

Andrew Creason - Watchman

Rock Island Railroad Police Department  September 19, 1903

Early the morning hours of Wednesday, September 9, 1903, Andrew Creason, 18, was patrolling the Rock Island Railroad’s coal and material yard in Chickasha, I.T. when he was attack and beaten about the head apparently by thieves stealing from the box cars parked in the yard. Andrew Creason was found unconscious by other employees getting off work on their way out of the yard. Andrew Creason suffered two severe fractures and five contusions and lacerations to his head. Despite surgery and hopes of a full recovery, Andrew Creason never regains consciousness and died at the Rock Island emergency hospital at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, September 19th.

Andrew Creason’s wife of less than six months, 16-year-old Dora May (Rodgers) stayed by his hospital bed the entire ten days. Andrew Creason was described as having a splendid physique and massive, gigantic frame. No arrests were ever made for Andrew Creason’s murder despite the investigation by Deputy U.S. Marshal Chris Madsen.

The burial site of Andrew Creason is unknown but believed to be in Chickasha. His wife Dora died less than four years later at the age of 19 on February 22, 1907, in Ft. Worth, TX and reportedly her body was shipped back to Chickasha for burial.

OLEM – 10S-2-9  NLEOM – 54W29

Updated September 14, 2023

Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Crews - Deputy Sheriff

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office September 5, 1953

About 9 p.m. on Saturday night, September 5, 1953, Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Crews and Undersheriff A. I. Rutherford went to the Denham Hotel at Ninth and Union in Shawnee concerning a man pulling a gun on another man. As the officers approached the west entrance to the hotel, they were met by 75-year-old Jess Stalcup, coming out of the hotel. The officers stopped him and questioned him about the incident. While they were talking to Stalcup, the complainant, Mr. Ewers, came out of the hotel and indicated to the officers that Jess Stalcup was the man with the gun. Jess Stalcup then drew a concealed .45 caliber automatic pistol and emptied it toward the two officers. Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Crews was hit four times in the stomach and side. Undersheriff A. I. Rutherford and two bystanders were also wounded but not as seriously. Undersheriff Rutherford shot Jess Stalcup three times in the neck and chest. Both Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Crews, 54, and Jess Stalcup died at the scene.

Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Crews was survived by his wife Ruth and is buried in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-4-13 (Frank Crews)  NLEOM –  

Updated August 31, 2023

John Alexander Cross - Deputy Sheriff

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office  March 30, 1927

John A. Cross was born November 4, 1875, in Leslie, Searcy County, Arkansas.

On Tuesday, March 29, 1927, Deputy Sheriff John Cross stopped a car three miles south of Seminole on the highway between Seminole and Wewoka. Unknown to Deputy Sheriff Cross the three men in the car were wanted for an armed robbery they committed the night before.  During the traffic stop one of the men in the car shot Deputy Sheriff John Cross twice in the stomach. The men then drove off and Deputy Sheriff Cross was taken to a hospital in Shawnee. The three men were all in custody by the next day.

Deputy Sheriff John Cross died that night just after midnight, Wednesday, March 30th, a few hours after from his hospital bed identifying one of the men, Bill Jones, as the man who shot him.  

John Cross was survived by his wife Rebecca and adult son Louis, 27, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-3-16  NLEOM – 33E23

Updated November 1, 2023

John  Edward "Bill" Cross -  City Marshal

Geary  July 7, 1903

On Tuesday night, July 7, 1903, City Marshal John E. Cross, 40, was riding home to his wife and six children. He never made it home. City Marshal John Cross’s body was found early the next morning in a wheat field. He had been shot in the stomach and groin. A farmer who lived close by told of hearing three shots about 10:30 p.m. but thought nothing of it in that area. The farmer also mentioned that three men had been camped nearby but were gone that morning. The City Marshal’s gun, silver watch and badge were missing. Suspicion soon centered on two fugitive brothers, Will and Sam Martin.  

John E. Cross was survived by his wife Lou Belle, 33, and their six children, including Alice, 12, Rene, 3, and Velma, 9 months old and is buried in Geary Cemetery, Geary, Blaine County, Oklahoma.

The Martin brothers were killed a month later in a shootout with other officers and Marshal John E. Cross’s badge and watch were found in their possession.

OLEM – 5N-4-14  NLEOM – 17E23

Updated November 1, 2023

John Myers Cross - Sheriff

Stevens County, Kansas July 25, 1888

 Stevens County, Kansas was just north of what was then called “No man’s land” and later became the Oklahoma panhandle.

 The towns of Hugoton and Woodsdale in Stevens County became embroiled in a bitter county seat war in 1886. Hugoton was finally named the county seat. John M. Cross was elected Sheriff of Stevens County over Sam Robinson in a desperately fought race. The embittered Sam Robinson became City Marshal of Hugoton.

 In early 1888, City Marshal Sam Robinson processed some county bounds to try and encourage railroad development in the area. His opponents claimed Robinson had illegally overstepped his authority and got a warrant issued for Sam Robinson’s arrest. Sam Robinson and some of his allies fought off attempts to serve the warrant in Hugoton.

 In July of 1888, Sam Robinson went into “No man’s land” on a camping trip. Woodsdale City Marshal Charles “Ed” Short and a posse were sent to arrest Robinson while he was away from Hugoton. Unable to locate Sam Robinson, City Marshal Ed Short sent back word for more men. County Sheriff John Cross deputized a posse of four men, Ted Eaton, Bob Hubbard, Roland Wilcox, and Herbert Tonney and rode out with them to assist City Marshal Ed Short.In the meantime, City Marshal Ed Short had lost his way and became involved in a gun battle with a posse from Hugoton that pursued him back to Woodsdale.

Sam Robinson had learned that Ed Short and his posse were searching for him and returned to Hugoton, recruited a fifteen-man posse and started back to “No man’s land” after Ed Short, unaware that Short had already been chased back to Woodsdale.

 On Wednesday, July 25, 1888, unable to find Ed Short or Sam Robinson, Sheriff John Cross and his deputies were returning to Woodsdale when they encountered some men working in a hayfield near Wild Horse Lake in present day Cimarron County, Oklahoma. The officers bedded down for the night in the hayfield. The five officers were awakened a few hours later and found themselves the prisoners of Hugoton City Marshal Sam Robinson and his posse. One by one Sheriff John Cross and his four deputies were gunned down by Sam Robinson and his men. The hay workers witnessed the shootings but were not harmed. This became known as “The Hayfield Massacre”. Hugoton City Marshal Sam Robinson and his posse then returned to Hugoton.

Sheriff John Cross, Deputies Ted Eaton, Bob Hubbard, and Roland Wilcox died at the scene, but Deputy Herbert Tonney survived, and made his way back to Stevens County to testify against Sam Robinson and his posse.  City Marshal Sam Robinson and five of his posse were tried, convicted, and sentenced to be hanged by the Federal Court in Paris, Texas.  They were all released later on appeal when the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that the Paris Federal Court had no jurisdiction in the murder cases as “No Man’s Land” was not part of the United States at the time of the murders.  They were never tried again. “No Man’s Land” was made a part of the Oklahoma Territory by The Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890.Sheriff John M. Cross was survived by his wife Miram and eight children.

John M. Myers was buried in Woodsdale Cemetery, but his grave was moved in 1930 to Moscow Cemetery, Moscow, Stevens County, Kansas.

OLEM – 4N-2-17  NLEOM – 7W10                           Updated November 1, 2023

Spear Cushman Crossley - Deputy Sheriff

Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office  June 15, 1922

Spear Crossley had been an Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriff for over twenty years by June 15, 1922. On that Thursday Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley located a fugitive driving a stolen car about a mile southeast of the old State Fairgrounds at Reno and Eastern in Oklahoma City. Deputy Crossley took the black fugitive to jail, leaving the stolen Packard behind.

Later that evening Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley returned with other deputies to recover the stolen Packard. The rope that they tried to tow the stolen car with broke after a short distance and they left to get another rope.

Unknown to the deputies, several Oklahoma City Police Officers had noticed the stolen car and had set up surveillance on it. When the county deputies returned and started to try and tow it again the city officers approached the county deputies. In the rural darkness each group of officers mistook the other for the car thieves. A few gun shots were exchanged before each group of officers figured out who the other group was, but it was too late. Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley had been shot in the left eye by one of the Oklahoma City officers and died on the way to the hospital. Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley died a month before his 55th birthday.

Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley was survived by his wife Rachel, son Marlin and daughter Opal and is buried in Luther Cemetery, Luther, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

Eleven days after his death Deputy Sheriff Spear Crossley’s brother Austin became an Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriff replacing his deceased brother.

OLEM – 8S-2-20 (Croosley)  NLEOM – 62E23

Updated November 1, 2023

Howard M. Crumley -  State Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  June 28, 1970

Shortly before midnight, Sunday, June 28, 1970, Trooper Howard Crumley was found dead about three miles west of Lone Grove on Highway 70. Trooper Crumley had been shot twice with his own service revolver.  It is believed that Trooper Crumley, 35, had been working radar and stopped the Wilkinson brothers, Raymond, and Hubert, after they had robbed and murdered a seventy-five-year-old man in Comanche County. A few hours after killing Trooper Crumley and kidnapping a couple, Raymond Wilkinson committed suicide. Hubert Wilkinson was later arrested, charged with the murder of Trooper Howard Crumley, and sentenced to life in prison.

Trooper Howard Crumley was survived by his wife Shirley and three sons, Raymond, Bill, and Doug.

Howard Crumley is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Afton, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-23  NLEOM – 28W5

Updated November 1, 2023

Green Pryor William Cude - Deputy Sheriff

Grady County Sheriff’s Office April 19, 1909

Monday morning April 19, 1909, about 9 a.m. Deputies Green Cude and Marshall went to the home of Jim Moore near Alex to arrest him for forcing everyone out of his house at gun point. Jim Moore is described as an Indian who was recently released from the insane asylum at Ft. Supply. When the deputies arrived, Jim Moore met them at the gate and invited them into the house. Both deputies refused. Jim Moore then walked to the back of the house and returned with a shot gun and sat down in front of the house with the gun across his knees.

Finally, Deputy Green Cude, 36, thought he could talk Jim Moore into surrendering and agreed to go into the house to talk with him. Jim Moore walked to the door and as Deputy Green Cude got near him Deputy Cude tried to grab the shot gun from Moore, but Moore shot him in the chest and face killing him instantly. Deputy Marshall then backed out of the yard as Jim Moore aimed the shot gun at him.

Deputy Marshall sent word to Alex for a posse. When the posse of armed men arrived at the scene Jim Moore ran to a field behind the house. Moore then fired at the approaching posse and they returned fire killing him.

Deputy Green Cude was survived by his wife Lucy and five children and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9S-3-2  NLEOM – 21W28

Updated November 1, 2023

Sam Cudgo - Officer

Seminole Lighthorse  March 29, 1885

Officer Sam Cudgo was part of a seventeen member Seminole Lighthorse posse led by Captain Thomas Cloud on Sunday, March 29, 1885. The posse was searching for outlaws in a black settlement on the south side of the Canadian River near Sacred Heart Mission, twenty-two miles south of present-day Shawnee. At the shack of Paro Bruner, they found Rector Rogers who had killed his brother-in-law the previous fall in the Creek Nation. The officers called for Rector Rogers to come out. Rector Rogers opened the door and told the officers he was not going to talk to them, slammed the door and opened fire on the posse with his rifle through the cracks of the shack. The first rifle shot hit Officer Sam Cudgo in the stomach and the next shot struck Captain Thomas Cloud in the left leg. The other posse members returned fire and killed Rector Roberts.

Officer Sam Cudgo died within the hour at the scene and his body was taken to Wewoka. The exact burial site of Officer Sam Cudgo is unknown.

Captain Thomas Cloud was taken to the home of Seminole Chief John Jumper in Sasakwa where he died two days later.

OLEM – 2N-3-5  NLEOM – 47E18

Updated November 1, 2023

William H. "Billy" Cully - Officer

Seminole Nation Lighthorse  February 5, 1906

Officer “Billy” Cully had been involved in an altercation trying to arrest a drunk Alex Harjo at a dance just before Christmas 1905. Alex Harjo held a grudge against the Lighthorse officer. Officer “Billy” Cully had obtained a warrant for Alex Harjo for the fight and had been looking for Alex Harjo to serve the arrest warrant.

Officer “Billy” Cully was found dead in a shack five miles west of Sasakwa on Monday, February 5, 1906. Officer Cully’s skull had been crushed with a blunt instrument.

In March Alex Harjo and Barney Fixico were charged with the murder of Officer “Billy” Cully the month before.  

The burial location of Officer Billy Cully is unknown.

OLEM – 9N-2-12  NLEOM – 64W24

Updated November 1, 2023