Morgan Henry Haddock - City Marshal

City of Caddo December 13, 1951

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Thursday, December 13, 1951, Marshal Morgan Haddock’s dead body was found lying near the Jones Brother’s Service Station at the intersection of Highway 69 and Buffalo Street. City Marshal Morgan Haddock’s pistol was still in its holster, his flashlight was in his hand and a cigarette still burned in his mouth. Three men, Hiram Robinson, Grady Sargent, and Jasper Lee Winineger were later charged with the shotgun slaying ambush of City Marshal Morgan Haddock. Of the three men charged only Jasper Lee Winineger was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in March of 1952. Grady Sargent died of natural causes before going to trial and Hiram Robinson’s three trials all ended with hung juries. Jasper Winineger was granted parole in 1964, over the protest of City Marshal Morgan Haddock’s wife Bertha but was returned to prison as a parole violator in April 1965.

Besides his wife Bertha, three sons and two daughters survived City Marshal Morgan Haddock who was fifty-seven years old when he died.

Morgan Haddock is buried in Gethsemane Cemetery, Caddo, Bryan County, Oklahoma.

On April 19, 1965, Mrs. Bertha Haddock, one of her sons, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were killed in a train-car collision near Miami, Texas.

OLEM – 7N-4-3  NLEOM – 17E25

Updated December 12, 2023

Ronald Lynn  "Ronnie" Haggard - Patrolman

Oklahoma City Police Department  March 21, 1963

On Thursday, March 21, 1963, “Ronnie” Haggard, had been a motorcycle officer for only three months. About 11:30 p.m. “Ronnie” Haggard had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he stopped at the Texaco service station on the northwest corner of SE 66th and I-35. The station attendant advised Patrolman Haggard of a white 1958 Chevrolet that habitually ran the south bound stop sign at a high rate of speed about that time each night. Patrolman “Ronnie” Haggard sat on his police motorcycle and waited in the Texaco’s lot for the white Chevy. Shortly the south bound white 1958 Chevrolet appeared and ran the south bound stop sign of the west access road of I-35.

It is reported that Patrolman “Ronnie” Haggard left a long streak of burn-out leaving the station after the white Chevrolet. Patrolman “Ronnie” Haggard was found forty-five minutes later at approximately 12:15 a.m. south of SE 66th Street around the curve in the 7300 block of the west access road of I-35 (South High) going west towards Shields Boulevard. Ptrolman Haggard was laying approximately twenty feet down the curb from his motorcycle and his helmet was laying between him and his motorcycle. Apparently, Patrolman “Ronnie” Haggard had lost control of his motorcycle and crashed chasing the white 1958 Chevrolet. Patrolman “Ronnie” Haggard, 22, died shortly after arriving at the hospital on Friday, March 22, 1963.

Patrolman Ronald Haggard is buried in Resthaven Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

The driver of the speeding white 1958 Chevrolet was never identified.

OLEM – 7N-5-7  NLEOM – 6W1

Updated February 17, 2024

Lindal “Dewayne” Hall - Chief  Deputy Sheriff
McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office  December 14, 2020

Lindal “Dewayne” Hall graduated high school at South Garland, Texas in May 1957. On December 11, 1981, he married Linda Jean McCauley whom he had met while they both worked in the banking business. They both continued to work in the banking business and opened a Bakery/Donut shop in Plano, Texas.

In 1991 the Halls got the opportunity to move to Oklahoma and jumped at the idea of owning land where they could hunt and fish. “Dewayne” Hall began work as the Deli Manager at Nichols Grocery in Checotah.

Lindal “Dewayne” Hall became a Deputy Sheriff for McIntosh County in May 1998. “Dewayne” Hall was an advocate for Crime Stoppers, Families of Domestic Abuse and helping anyone who was willing to receive his help.

In the course of his duties as Chief Deputy Sheriff of McIntosh County, “Dewayne” Hall contracted the Covid-19 virus around the first of December and died at his home at the age of 63 from complications of the Covid-19 virus on Tuesday, December 14, 2020.

Lindal “Dewayne” Hall’s wife Linda had also contracted the Covid-19 virus and died a week later Wednesday, December 22nd.

Lindal “Dewayne” Hall and his wife Linda are buried in Twin Grove Cemetery, Checotah, McIntosh County, Oklahoma. The Halls were survived by their son Danny Price and his wife Jackie; daughter Jennifer Hall and her husband Robert Walker; and daughter Brandi Hale.

OLEM – 10S-1-18  NLEOM –   

Updated December 12, 2023

J. B. Hamby -  Chief  of Police

Catoosa Police Department  September 1, 1978

Shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 1978, Chief of Police J. B. Hamby responded to an armed robbery in progress call at the Catoosa Tag Agency on the corner of Highway 66 and Pine Street. Chief J. B. Hamby parked his police unit out front then ran to the front door of the agency with his .357 Magnum revolver in hand. As Chief J. B. Hamby entered the business, he became involved in a close-range gun-battle with two armed men, Jackie Ray Young, 29, and David Gordon Smith, 25. The two armed robbers were in the process of tying up the employees and customers when Chief Hamby surprised them.  Chief J. B. Hamby made his six shots count as he shot Jackie Young in the temple and leg, killing him instantly, and shooting David Smith in his hand, leg, and groin. Chief J. B. Hamby was wounded under his right arm and in a leg. Chief Hamby then stumbled back out the front door and next door to a Laundromat where he collapsed and died trying to reload his .357 revolver.

David Smith was able to get to his car and drive off but was arrested later in the day when he went to the hospital for treatment of his gunshot wounds.

Chief J. B. Hamby had been in law enforcement twenty years, was divorced and was survived by his two teenage sons, James Ray and Mark Wayne and buried in Hamby Cemetery, Colcord, Delaware County, Oklahoma.

David Smith was convicted of Chief J. B. Hamby’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 2N-1-6  NLEOM – 28W2

Updated June 16, 2024

James Amos "Doc" Hands - Sergeant

Sapulpa Police Department  March 3, 1918

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 2, 1918, Sergeant James Hands, 49, became involved in an argument with former Chief of Police Dan Redmond, 30, in front of the Sapulpa Police Station. Sergeant James Hands had recently testified against the former chief in a hearing that cost Chief Redmond his job. Sergeant James Hands walked away from Dan Redmond and into the station. Dan Redmond followed Sergeant Hands into the police station, knocked Sergeant Hands down and kicked him in the head. Dan Redmond was arrested and placed in jail. Sergeant James Hands remained unconscious until his death at 5 a.m. early the next morning, Sunday, March 3 at his home.  

Dan Redmond was charged with the murder of Sergeant James Hands, tried and found not guilty in March 1920.

Sergeant James Hands was survived by his wife Vivian and two daughters and is buried in the Old Sapulpa Cemetery, Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4N-1-11  NLEOM – 7W27

Updated February 22, 2024

Douglas Leon Hanna - Deputy Sheriff

Washita County Sheriff’s Office April 21, 2013

At approximately 12:10 a.m. the morning of Sunday, April 21, 2013, Deputy Douglas Hanna, 44, was traveling eastbound on State Highway 54A (CR 1130), west of Corn in route to a call in Corn, when another pickup truck traveling northbound on CR 2350 failed to stop for a stop sign and collided with the passenger side of Deputy Sheriff Douglas Hanna’s County patrol pickup.

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Hanna’s 2005 Ford pickup patrol unit rolled two- and one-half times coming to rest on the driver’s side. Deputy Sheriff Hanna was partially ejected even though he was wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other pickup, a 2003 Ford, rolled over on to the driver’s side. The driver of the north bound pickup, Bryce Nickel, 17, was transported with leg injuries to the Weatherford Hospital by his parents.

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Hanna was a Kiowa County Deputy Sheriff for six years prior to joining the Washita County Sheriff’s Office a year before his death.

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Hanna was survived by his two sons, Kellen Douglas Hanna, 19, and Kyler Leon Hanna, 17, as well as his parents Frank and Myra Hanna.

OLEM – 4N-1-5  NLEOM – 42W29

Updated June 16, 2024

Dale Maloy Harbolt - Special Agent

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

U.S. Department of the Treasury  June 7, 1976

Dale Harbolt was honorably discharged from the Army after three years in 1957. He then joined the Oklahoma City Police Department on December 4, 1957, attending the 74th session of the FBI National Academy in the fall of 1964.  Dale Harbolt served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for eight years before joining the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) September 27, 1965, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Dale Harbolt later transferred to the Dallas ATF office as a Special Agent-Pilot. Special Agent Dale Harbolt received several awards for his service while an ATF agent-pilot.

Shortly before his death Special Agent Dale Harbolt was the recipient of a Special Achievement Award for his part in tracking by air, two organized crime suspects transporting eighty-nine firearms from Miami, Florida to criminal associates in Montreal, Canada where they were arrested. This was recognized as the longest and probably most complicated surveillance in ATF history.

On Monday, June 7, 1976, Special Agent Dale Harbolt, 40, was flying a rented Cessna aircraft from Dallas to Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City under visual flight rules. For unknown reasons, just prior to his landing approach into Wiley Post Airport the Cessna struck some power lines near NW 39th Street and the plane crashed on NW 41st near N. Tulsa Street, killing Special Agent Dale Harbolt. Dale Harbolt was flying into Oklahoma City as the state trial of Maurice C. Letner was coming up in a couple weeks.

On Saturday, November 22, 1975, Dale Harbolt and his father, retired Oklahoma City Police Detective Wayne Harbolt, 72, were returning from a hunting trip when a white car tried to run them off the road on the NW Expressway near N. MacArthur Boulevard. The white car turned on to N. MacArthur Boulevard and soon pulled to the side of the road near NW 67th Street followed by the Harbolts. Dale Harbolt pulled their car in behind the white car, approached the two men who had gotten out of the white car and identified himself as a federal agent. A struggle ensued with the two men, Maurice C. Letner, a Tennessee prison escapee and his brother. During the struggle Maurice Letner was able to take Dale Harbolt’s gun out of his holster and shot Dale in the arm then ran over to where Wayne Harbolt was standing and hit him in the head with the gun, threatened to kill him and kicked him after he fell to the ground. Dale Harbolt was also kicked several times as he laid on the ground by Letner’s brother. According to The Daily Oklahoman, Maurice Letner was convicted June 22nd of assault with a dangerous weapon against Dale Harbolt and sentenced to four years in prison. He had been charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Letner was also to be tried in September on an additional charge of assault on the older Harbolt. Maurice Letner was serving a sentence in Tennessee for second degree murder when he escaped.

Besides his parents, Dale Harbolt was survived by his wife Joanne a daughter Kelly 15, and a son Michael “Scott” 11.

Dale Harbolt is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-1-20  NLEOM – 10W16

Updated June 16, 2024

William T. Harden - Deputy U.S.  Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  October 19, 1890

 William Harden was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas on August 7, 1889, and served less than a year before his death.  Deputy Marshal William Harden lived in Cameron in the Choctaw Nation, the area he worked most often.  

In October 1890, Deputy Marshal William Harden received information that two men were peddling whiskey near the small town of Bengal, about thirty miles southwest of Cameron.  Upon reaching Bengal, on Saturday, October 18, 1890, Deputy Marshal Harden was informed the men had just left town, and Deputy Marshal Harden took off in pursuit of the men.  After chasing the two men for two and a half miles, he caught up with them near Tom Morley’s Mill, northeast of Bengal.  As Deputy Marshal William Harden rode up, the two men opened fire on the deputy marshal, who returned the gun fire.  As Deputy Marshal William Harden and one of the men, later identified as Henry Evans, fired on each other, the second man jumped off his horse and took cover behind some cattle pens, moving to a position where he could get a clear shot.  Henry Evans and Deputy Marshal Harden emptied their six-guns at each other.  Henry Evans was wounded and fell.  Deputy Marshal James Harden started riding off, possibly to re-load, when the second man took careful aim and fired one shot that struck Deputy Marshal Harden in the back.  Deputy Marshal Harden’s horse bolted, and the deputy marshal was thrown to the ground.  The second man helped Henry Evans to his horse and they both then escaped.

Neighbors in the area heard the gunfire and went to the scene, finding Deputy Marshal William Harden on the ground with a bullet wound in his back.  The neighbors carried Deputy Marshal Harden to a nearby cabin and then went to Bengal to get a physician.  Despite treatment, Deputy Marshal William Harden died the next day, Sunday, October 19th.

A Charles Parker stated he had noticed the two men and thought they were Henry Evans and Charles Robertson, also known as William Hill.  A lengthy search was conducted by other deputy marshals, but no records can be found indicating the two men were ever captured.  

Deputy U.S. Marshal William Harden is buried in Peachland Cemetery, Bengal, Latimer County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-2-14  NLEOM –

Updated October 18, 2023

William Riley "Willy" Hargraves - Captain

Osage County Sheriff’s Office August 19, 2022

William R. Hargraves was born November 28, 1977, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to William Don and Barbara Hargraves. William attended Burbank Schools through the eighth grade and then transferred to Shidler High School where he graduated in the class of 1996. While attending high school, William began his fire career with Osage Cove Fire Department as a volunteer fireman. After graduating high school William attended the Oklahoma State University Fire Program and remained active serving his community as Fire Chief since then.

William Hargraves was hired as an Osage County Jailer in 1988 by Sheriff Russell Cottle. In 2000 William Hargraves was promoted to Field Deputy. In 2003 William Hargraves was promoted to K-9 Handler and worked drug interdiction and drug detection for the public schools in Osage County with his K-9 partner Jasmine.

In 2004 William Hargraves was promoted to Patrol Sergeant where his duties consisted of Supervision of patrol shifts while continuing to work with his K-9 partner.

Sergeant Hargraves was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant, where he was responsible for supervising all the patrol shifts and conduct criminal investigations for the west area of Osage County.

In 2010 William Hargraves left the Osage County Sheriff’s Office for two years during which he served with the Ponca City Police Department then returned to the Sheriff’s Office.

On October 12, 2016, William married Emily Cole in Branson, Missouri.

In 2020 Lieutenant Hargraves was promoted to Jail Lieutenant, where he supervised the everyday functions of the day-to-day operations of the Osage County Detention Center and Transportation Division. After Captain Charlie Cartwright retired in 2021 William Hargraves was promoted to Captain and Jail Administrator.

In early2022 Captain Hargraves was promoted to Captain of Investigations.

Just before 8:00 a.m. the morning of Friday, August 19, 2022, Captain William Hargraves, 44, was on his way to work at the Osage County Sheriff’s Office in his white 2011 Ford F-150 pickup. Captain Hargraves was east bound on U.S. Highway 60 north of Fairfax. As Captain Hargraves entered the intersection with State Highway 18 his pickup was T-boned on the driver’s side by a south bound 2008 Lexus driven by a fourteen-year-old girl from Kansas. Captain Hargraves’ pickup then struck a utility pole. The Lexus then struck a third vehicle. The young driver of the Lexus, her female passenger, and the driver of the third vehicle were not seriously injured.

William Hargraves was pinned in his pickup for some time and died from his injuries at the scene of the accident.

Captain William Hargraves was survived by his wife Emily and three children, Benjamin Riley, 18, Gracie Jade,16, and stepdaughter Presley Perrier,15.

William R. Hargraves is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Kaw City, Kay County. Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-1-22  NLEOM – 8E34

Updated August 18, 2023

Ernest M. Harkins - U.S. Postal Inspector

U. S. Postal Service  January 12, 1949

Ernest Harkins was born July 25, 1897, in Hackett, Sebastian County, Arkansas to Bayard E. and Helen Anderson (Mackie) Harkins.

About 8:15 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, January 12, 1949, Inspector Ernest Harkins, 51, was bent over checking his post office box for mail at the Main Post office located in the Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City when a man walked up beside him and shot him in the back of the head, killing him. The man, Joseph Donnelly, 69, blamed Inspector Ernest Harkins for the loss of two postal money orders for twenty dollars each. After killing Inspector Ernest Harkins, Joseph Donnelly calmly walked a few feet and waited for police to arrive.

Inspector Ernest Harkins was survived by his wife Grace Blanche (Hannah) and two daughters, Mary Josephine, 25, and Grace Elise, 15, and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-3-23  NLEOM – 16E6

Updated January 6, 2024

Henry L. Harper  – Undersheriff

Harmon County Sheriff’s Office September 14, 1919

Henry L. Harper was born September 9, 1886, in Whitewright, Grayson County, Texas, to Elisha Crusoe and Ida L. (Roberson) Harper.

About 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning, September 14, 1919, 33-year-old Undersheriff Henry Harper and Justice of the Peace O. O. Hager went to a schoolhouse in Gould to check out a couple of suspicious men who were camped out near the school in a Ford car with California license plates.

The two men were found inside the schoolhouse. While talking to the two men Undersheriff Henry Harper noticed that one of the men had a gun and took it away from him. Undersheriff Henry then told the men to go with him into town. As they were starting to walk toward town one of the men drew a gun and shot Undersheriff Henry Harper twice. Undersheriff Harper was able to return fire before he died. Justice of the Peace O. O. Hager was wounded in the hand.

The two men escaped but were soon located and arrested. Curley Williams was convicted of killing Undersheriff Henry Harper and sentenced to life in prison. The other man, Bob Cox, turned state’s witness and was not charged in Undersheriff Harper’s death.

The Ford car was found to be stolen from California.

Undersheriff Henry Harper was survived by his wife Bessie and three young daughters, ages 8, 4 and 1 year old and is buried in Gould Cemetery, Gould, Harman County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-1-9  NLEOM– 27E26

Updated September 14, 2024

John Arthur Harris II - Sergeant

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office August 19, 2021

John Harris II was born in Altus, Oklahoma on September 7, 1977, to John and Judy Harris.

John Harris II joined the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office in 2009. At the time of his death, Sergeant John Harris was the Sergeant over their Officer Assistance Program, which he helped to establish. This program has provided counseling and mental health services not only for Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office employees but also to hundreds of law enforcement officers from agencies across the state.

In 2019 Sergeant John A. Harris received the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Life Saving Award for saving the life of a two-year-old girl that had fallen from a moving vehicle.

Sergeant John Harris, 43, was hospitalized July 29, 2021, after contracting the Covid-19 virus in the course of his law enforcement duties. John Harris remained hospitalized until his death the evening of Thursday, August 19, 2021, from complications from the Covid-19 virus.

Sergeant John Harris was survived by his wife Michelle, their daughters Breanna Marie, 18, Brooklyn Jade, 11, and Autumn Elizabeth, 9, and their son Austin Michael, 16.

John Harris is buried in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-3-20  NLEOM – 11E33

Updated August 18, 2023

Mark Owen  Harris - Lake Patrolman

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  September 2, 1984

About 5 a.m. on Sunday, September 2, 1984, Lake Patrolman Mark Harris, 36, was issuing a ticket to a speeder on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of I-35 near Indian Hills Road in Cleveland County. Patrick Fitzgerald, 24, was driving southbound when his car went off the roadway and struck Lake Patrolman Harris’ patrol pickup then Patrolman Harris, knocking Harris seventy feet on to the I-35 roadway where a second southbound vehicle struck Lake Patrolman Mark Harris and kept going.

Lake Patrolman Mark Harris was dead at the scene from multiple internal injuries. Patrick Fitzgerald was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The southbound driver who did not stop after striking Lake Patrolman Mark Harris was never identified.

Lake Patrolman Mark Harris was survived by his wife Christine “Chrissi” as well as a young son and daughter and is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-5  NLEOM – 63W12

Updated August 30, 2023

West Harris - Deputy U. S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service September 14, 1894

The evening of Friday, September 14, 1894, Deputy U. S. Marshal West Harris, and his posse Frank Faulkner, 24, went to the home of John Seabolt, where a large dance was being held, to locate a man named Bush for whom Deputy Marshal West Harris had an arrest warrant.

John Seabolt’s home was located seven miles from Muldrow, Indian Territory and twenty miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas. During the evening, Deputy Marshal West Harris spotted the wanted man named Bush in the yard of the house and the two lawmen moved in to arrest Bush. A gun battle broke out and when the smoke cleared both lawmen and a Cherokee Indian named Charlie Benge, who had served as a posse for other deputies in the past, lay dead.

Deputy U. S. Marshal Jim Cole was sent from Ft. Smith to investigate. Deputy Marshal Cole arrived Saturday morning and found the three deceased men still laying in the front yard of the Seabolt house. Deputy Marshal West Harris was shot once in the chest still clutching his empty gun in his hand, posse Frank Faulkner had been shot seven times with his empty gun found about ten yards from his body and Charlie Benge was shot once through the body with his empty gun still in his hand. Deputy Marshal Cole noticed that all three men had been shot with a handgun or rifle, but Posse Frank Faulkner also had been shot with a shotgun. Two other bodies were also located under John Seabolt’s house.

Deputy Marshal Cole was unable to find any witnesses who were willing to tell what happened and the case was closed. No one was ever charged with the deaths of the two lawmen.

The burial site of Deputy U.S. Marshal West Harris is unknown.

Posse Frank Faulkner is buried in Lee’s Chapel Cemetery, Muldrow, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-1-6  NLEOM –

Updated September 10, 2023

R.M. "Bill"  Harrison - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service May 9, 1894

R. M. Harrison was a Deputy U.S. Marshal under U. S. Marshal E. D. Nix of the District of the Oklahoma Territory.

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 9, 1894, Deputy Marshal “Bill” Harrison was in Pottawatomie Country searching for escaped cattle thief, James E. Head in some woods several miles east of Lexington when Deputy Marshal Harrison located a spot where James Head had camped. Deputy Marshal “Bill” Harrison formed a posse with the use of tracking dogs. As the tracking dogs approached a clump of bushes a shot rang out and one of the dogs was shot dead. The posse members fired into the brush, which was so thick they could not get a clear shot at James Head. After a time, Deputy Marshal “Bill” Harrison yelled for James Head to surrender. James Head responded and the two men began negotiations. Deputy Marshal Harrison thought he was making progress and approached to within twelve feet of James Head’s hiding place. Suddenly James Head jumped up and fired at the deputy marshal with his revolver. Deputy Marshal “Bill” Harrison returned fire striking James Head in the neck, but Head had fired two more times killing Deputy Marshal “Bill” Harrison. James Head then died within a few minutes.

The burial site of Deputy U.S. Marshal R. M. “Bill” Harrison is unknown.

OLEM – 10S-1-6  NLEOM – 11E3

Updated May 6, 2024

Clyde Raymond Harrison - Deputy Sheriff

McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office  October 11, 1963

Shortly before noon on Friday, October 11, 1963, Deputy Sheriff Clyde Harrison, 39, became involved in a pursuit with a vehicle on Highway 259 going south of Smithville. The vehicle finally pulled over to the side of the road six miles south of Smithville. The driver, George Ralph Nichols, 54, of Dogpatch, then got out with a 30-30 caliber rifle, and pointed it at Deputy Sheriff Harrison as he pulled in behind George Nichols’ car. Deputy Sheriff Clyde Harrison turned off his car engine and began approaching George Nichols on foot when Nichols shot Deputy Sheriff Harrison once in the chest. Deputy Sheriff Harrison drew his pistol after being shot and fired twice at George Nichols but missed before Harrison died. George Nichols was arrested later that day.

Deputy Sheriff Clyde Harrison was survived by his wife Arlene and three teenage children and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Sulphur, Murray County, Oklahoma.

George Nichols was convicted of Deputy Sheriff Clyde Harrison’s murder and sentenced to life in prison. However, his sentence was later reduced to thirty-three years and one day. George Nichols was later paroled and returned to the Smithville area.

OLEM – 7N-4-20  NLEOM – 52E6

Updated October 2, 2023

John Edward Harrod - Sergeant

Tulsa Police Department November 9, 1917

About 1:30 a.m. on Friday, November 9, 1917, Sergeant John Harrod, 43, was painting traffic signs at Second and Main near police headquarters when his single action .41 caliber revolver fell from his shoulder holster and discharged. Sergeant John Harrod was struck in the chest by the bullet, the bullet passing through his heart. Sergeant John Harrod died moments later in the arms of Captain Wilkerson who was in headquarters when he heard the shot and ran to investigate.

Sergeant John E. Harrod was the first Tulsa Police officer to die in the line of duty.

Sergeant John Harrod was survived by his wife Mattie and is buried in the Burden Cemetery, Burden, Conley County, Kansas.

OLEM – 8S-1-12  NLEOM – 29W17 [Herrod]

Updated November 5, 2023

Carl Lee "Don" Hart - City Marshal

City of Bokchito  May 21, 1972

Late the evening of Sunday, May 21, 1972, City Marshal Carl Hart, 69, had stopped by Easter’s café for a cup of coffee and a roll before going off duty. It was his last night as acting City Marshal, filling in for City Marshal Doc Harris who had been on vacation. City Marshal Carl Hart had parked his car in front of the café, but the business had closed and locked the front door before he finished his coffee so, Hart exited through the back door. After exiting, City Marshal Carl Hart came back in because he had forgotten to pay for his food. After paying Hart exited out the back door again at 10:45 p.m.  A shot was heard, and the café employees ran to the back door and found City Marshal Carl Hart dead and a white man with a long gun running away. City Marshal Hart had been shot in the chest with a single barrel 20-gauge shotgun.

James Edward Layman, 25, was arrested two days later and confessed to the shooting and that he was intending on robbing the Easter’s café and was about four yards from the café back door when City Marshal Carl Hart came out and startled him. James Layman said he panicked, pulled the trigger of the shotgun, and ran. James Layman was charged with the murder of City Marshal Carl Hart.

City Marshal Carl Hart was survived by his wife Dessie, two sons, a daughter and two stepsons and is buried in Bokchito Cemetery, Bokchito, Bryan County, Oklahoma.

Bokchito is known as the “Biggest Little Town in Oklahoma”. It is in southeastern Oklahoma 13 miles East of Durant, centered where US 70 and State Road 22 intersect.

OLEM – 1N-2-22 (Don)  NLEOM – 29W2

Updated May 8, 2024

Joe Dale Hartman - Deputy City Marshal

City of Texhoma May 20, 1962

About 4 a.m. the morning of Sunday, May 20, 1962, City Marshal William A. “Bill” James and Deputy City Marshal Joe Hartman had taken Kenneth James Hoover, 24, home after finding him drunk near the downtown area of Texhoma.

Kenneth Hoover did not stay at home and walked back downtown where the officers took him into custody again after a brief fight. The officers took Kenneth Hoover to City Hall where Hoover hit City Marshal “Bill” James in the head and escaped. Kenneth Hoover went home and got a 12-gauge shotgun and returned to City Hall because he felt the officers had been harassing him. Kenneth Hoover saw City Marshal “Bill” James through a window and opened fire on him, killing City Marshal James.

Kenneth Hoover then reloaded the shotgun and went inside city hall where he saw the unarmed Deputy City Marshal Joe Hartman go into a room and close the door behind him. Deputy City Marshal Joe Hartman leaned against the door to keep Kenneth Hoover out. Kenneth Hoover pushed against the door then fired through the door, fatally wounding Deputy City Marshal Joe Hartman. The shotgun was found at the scene by responding officers and Kenneth Hoover was located hiding in a ditch a few blocks away.

Deputy City Marshal Joe Hartman was not married and is buried in Clarinda Cemetery, Clarinda, Page County, Iowa.

OLEM – 7N-5-6  NLEOM – 17E24

Updated May 8, 2024

Edward Otto Hartwick - Deputy Sheriff

Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office December 7, 1930

Edward O. Hartwick was born in Indiana on November 6, 1890, to Theodore and Adelina (Fritz) Hartwick. In 1915 Edward married Donna Olive Livesay.

On Sunday, December 7, 1930, two young men went to the farm of Jess Powell ten miles from Pawnee to borrow a logging chain. Finding no one home, they located the chain and took it. Jess Powell, 65, soon returned home and, discovering his chain missing, decided thieves had victimized him. Arming himself, he decided to wait for the thieves to return. The two young men soon came back to return the chain, stopping at his well to get a drink first. Jess Powell opened fire on them, killing one and wounding the other.

A neighbor notified the Sheriff who responded with his Undersheriff Lancaster and Deputy Sheriff Edward Hartwick. The officers arrived at the farm after dark and approached the house. Jess Powell, still waiting for more thieves, opened fire on the officers from ambush. Deputy Sheriff Edward Hartwick, 40, was struck once fatally, and Undersheriff Lancaster was wounded. Jess Powell escaped but was soon arrested near Ralston.

Deputy Sheriff Edward Hartwick was survived by his wife Donna and seven children and is buried in Highland Cemetery, Pawnee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 3S-3-13  NLEOM – 44E22

Updated June 17, 2024

Eric Lee Haskins – Officer

Harrah Police Department  January 28, 2022

Eric Haskins was born October 8, 1976, to Gary Michael and Karen Louise Haskins.

Eric Haskins began his law enforcement career with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2005 and served as a Deputy Sheriff until August 2015.  Eric then joined the Choctaw Police Department and served as an officer there until August 2020. Eric Haskins joined the Harrah Police Department on August 17, 2020, and was an officer with the Harrah Police Department at the time of his death the evening of January 28, 2022, from a medical episode he suffered at home.

Officer Eric Haskins was survived by his wife Rachel and three children, Faith Karen, 16, Christian Michael, 15, and Abigal Grace, 8.

OLEM – 10N-3-19  NLEOM –

Updated January 18, 2024

Lewis Franklin Harvey - Officer

Muskogee Police Department March 10, 1908

About 10:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 1908, Officer Lewis Harvey, 45, was walking down Third Street with a waiter from the Ruby Restaurant named Jesse G. Cox, 34. Witnesses stated they appeared to be friends having a friendly talk. The two men were seen turning and walking down an alley. Within moments witnesses heard two gun shots. Jesse Cox walked out of the alley with a .45 caliber revolver in his hand and stated he had “just killed Harvey” and for someone to get a policeman. They found Officer Lewis Harvey lying dead in the alley with both hands in his pockets and his gun still holstered, shot once in the face and once in the abdomen.

Jesse Cox was charged with the murder of Officer Lewis Harvey.

Lewis Harvey was the first Muskogee police officer to die in the line of duty since statehood.

Officer Lewis Harvey was survived by his wife and three children and is buried in Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

Jesse Cox testified at his trial that Officer Lewis Harvey had threatened him with harm if Cox did not run his prostitute girlfriend out of town. The jury acquitted Jesse Cox of the murder.

OLEM – 3S-1-12  NLEOM – 21W22

Updated February 8, 2024

Louis Haymond Harvill - Deputy Sheriff

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office January 28, 1928

Louis Harvill was born in Texas in 1882 to J. L. and Arinda Elizabeth (Sanford) Harvill. On June 30, 1907, Louis Harvill, 24, married Laura Blalock, 18, in the Southern District of the Indian Territory.

At about 10:00 p.m. the night of Saturday, January 28, 1928, Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill, 45, and Grayson Township Constable William Hood were patrolling the usual Saturday night dance in Addington to keep order. As the two officers crossed the street between two Chevrolet sedans, someone in one of the cars opened gun fire on them striking both officers.

Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill was shot in the right shoulder with the bullet ranging downward through his chest. Deputy Sheriff Harvill had been shot from such close range that the muzzle blast set his overcoat on fire. Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill died less than half an hour later but not before identifying Green Smiddly, 23, as their assailant.

Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill left behind his wife Laura and four children and is buried in Addington Cemetery, Addington, Jefferson County, Oklahoma.

Constable William Hood was wounded in the right leg near the groin and died near midnight four nights later Wednesday, February 1, 1928.

Green Smiddly was arrested and charged with the murder of both officers.

OLEM – 9S-1-10 (Herville)  NLEOM – 36W26

Updated January 18, 2024

Francis Marion “Frank” Hatcher – Deputy Sheriff

Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office July 23, 1909

Francis “Frank” Hatcher was born in Arkansas February 6, 1882, the youngest of nine children born to James Fulton and Catherine Elizabeth Martin Hatcher.

In 1905 Frank Hatcher intermarried with Virginia Caroline Chapman who was a tribal member.

By 1909 Frank Hatcher, 27, was a prominent white farmer and rancher who lived seven miles south of Ada in Pontotoc County with his wife and their two-year-old son Andrew.

Frank Hatcher was also a Deputy Sheriff for Pontotoc County. On Thursday afternoon, July 22, 1909, there was a picnic five miles south of Ada on Jack Fork Creek at the negro picnic grounds and Deputy Sheriffs Frank Hatcher and Roan Sugg were assigned to keep the peace at the picnic.

About 7 p.m. that Thursday evening Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher became involved in a conversation with a black lady sitting in a buggy about possibly buying some land from her. Through a misunderstanding about the conversation the woman’s female companion’s husband, “Moonlight” Black approached the buggy and pulled a knife on Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher. As Deputy Sheriff Hatcher was drawing his gun to arrest “Moonlight” Black another black man shot Hatcher from the right with a .45 caliber revolver, the bullet passing through Hatcher’s lower body side to side. Deputy Sheriff Roan Sugg was nearby and shot at the assailant but missed as the assailant ran off returning fire while doing so. Others in the crowd started firing at Deputy Suggs also then also ran off. Deputy Sheriff Hatcher was carried to a house a short distance away. Doctors were notified and treated Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher’s wound, but he died about 6 a.m. the next morning, Friday, July 23, 1909.

Francis “Frank” Hatcher was survived by his wife Virginia and their three children, Juanita, 3, Andrew Jackson, 2, and Cleo, 1, and is buried in the Frisco Cemetery, Frisco, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.

Lifey “Moonlight” Black, Doc Black, Jackson Black, and Will Black, were originally arrested and charged with complicity in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher. Jackson Black was released at the preliminary hearing for lack of evidence. The other three brothers were held without bond. George Warren was sought as the actual killer of Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher.

In September 1909 Oklahoma Governor Haskell offered a three-hundred-dollar reward for the arrest of fugitive George Warren.

Lifey “Moonlight” Black’s March 1910 trial ended in a hung jury. In early 1911 the cases against Lifey and Doc Black were dismissed on habeas corpus due to a lack of prosecution.

In October 1913 George Warren was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico. George Warren was brought back to Ada and tried in February 1914. George Warren was found guilty of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Frank Hatcher and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 4N-2-20  NLEOM –

Updated June 17, 2024

Joseph Cormelius Hause - Patrolman

Claremore Police Department July 11, 1954

Joseph Hause was born on December 18, 1926, near Burbank in Osage County. After attending Chillocco Indian School near Ponca City, Joseph Hause enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his seventeenth birthday. After his discharge from the Navy, Joseph Hause worked in construction and as an elecrtric company lineman. In May 1953 Hause joined the Claremore Police Department.

Just before midnight on Saturday, July 10, 1954, Patrolman Joseph Hause, 27, Chief of Police Edd Hixson, 30, and two other officers went to the Page Hotel to look for a man reportedly with a stolen shotgun. As Joseph Hause and Chief Hixson were walking up the hotel stairs and talking, the man, Henry Paul Miller, 47, fired at them from the top of the stairs, striking Officer Joseph Hause in the chest. Chief Edd Hixson dragged the wounded Patrolman Joseph Hause down the hotel stairs while other officers blocked the Hotel’s exit.  When officers later forced open the door to Henry Miller’s room, they found Miller had committed suicide with the stolen shotgun. Patrolman Joseph Hause died early the next morning on Sunday, July 11th.

Joseph Hause left behind his wife Evelyn and two young children, Steve and Liz and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-4-15  NLEOM – 38W2

Updated June 18, 2024

J. William “Will” Hawkins – Former Assistant Chief

Lawton Police Department  April 12, 1904

J. William Hawkins was born September 12, 1866, in Hall County, Georgia. As a young man he traveled west and was in Cripple Creek, Colorado for several years employed by the Wells Fargo Express Company. It was there at the age of 29 that he married Lucy “Besse” Paddock, 23, on December 30, 1895. Will and Besse later divorced in August 1899.

On October 24, 1901, Henry Andrew “Heck” Thomas was elected first Chief of Police of Lawton in Oklahoma Territory. When appointing his first fourteen-man police force, Heck Thomas appointed J. William Hawkins as his Assistant Chief of Police. Hawkins only served one term as Assistant Chief of Police, failing to receive a second appointment to the Lawton police force. Later, J. William Hawkins was appointed the sergeant-of-arms for the territorial legislature.

J. William Hawking then became partners with L. T. Russell in a mining business. L. T. Russell was also the founder and owner of the Lawton State Democrat newspaper. Hard feelings developed between J. William Hawkins and L. T. Russell, perhaps due to their business relationship but probably because Hawkins blamed Russell for not getting re-appointed to the police force. L. T. Russell published a vicious article about Hawkins in the Lawton State Democrat which caused even greater hard feelings between the two men.  Their hard feelings exploded when the two men met at noon on Monday, April 4, 1904, in front of Lawton’s City Hall on D Avenue where a large crowd was present. Reportedly, J. William Hawkins pushed L. T. Russell off the sidewalk and stepped into the street with him. L. T. Russell drew his gun and shot Hawkins three times, striking him in the right leg, left knee and abdomen. J. William Hawkins was able to fire one shot but missed before he collapsed in the street.

Chief Heck Thomas arrested L. T. Russell and placed him in the county jail but fearing a lynching transported Russell to Fort Sill.

There were no hospitals in Lawton at the time, so Hawkins was taken to Chief Thomas’ home to recuperate. For a time, J. William Hawkins appeared to improve but died at 4 a.m. the morning of April 12, 1904.

J. William Hawkins is buried in Timber Ridge Cemetery, Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia.

L. T. Russell was tried for murder in Anadarko on a change of venue. Russell was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison. The conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court on a technicality.

Sometime later L. T. Russell was murdered, and no one was ever charged with the crime. A popular belief is that a brother of J. William Hawkins was responsible.

It appears that J. William Hawkin’s death was not a law enforcement line of duty death.

OLEM – 5N-4-20  NLEOM – 50E7

Updated November 15, 2022

Brian Edward Hayden - Deputy Sheriff

Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office  April 19, 2012

Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden, 47, had served with the Nicoma Park Police Department eighteen years before becoming a Choctaw County Deputy Sheriff in January 2012

.

About 9:30 p.m. the evening of Thursday, April 19, 2012, Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden, along with his K-9 partner Sampson, was in route to a “shots fired” call. Driving behind Deputy Sheriff Hayden was Choctaw Tribal Police Officer Josiah Moore, 29, headed to the same call. Both officers were driving with red lights and sirens engaged west bound on State Highway 70 about three miles west of Soper when Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden attempted to turn left on to a county road and was struck in the driver’s door of his Chevrolet pickup by Tribal Officer Josiah Moore. Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden was Mediflighted to Hugo Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Tribal Officer Josiah Moore was flown to a hospital in Plano, Texas, in serious condition but survived. Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden’s K-9 partner Sampson also survived the crash.

Deputy Sheriff Brian Hayden was survived by his wife Tabitha and his five children from a previous marriage.

Brian Hayden is buried in Valliant Cemetery, Valliant, McCurtain County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9S-3-7  NLEOM – 54E28

Updated April 17, 2024

Clifford D. Hayes, Sr. – Investigator

Oklahoma Highway Department

Clifford Hayes, Sr. began his law enforcement career as an Ada police officer. Hayes then served as a detective for the Frisco Railroad for twenty-one years. In July 1963 Clifford Hayes became an investigator for the Oklahoma Highway Department. Hayes’ primary duty as an investigator was investigating the theft of state-owned construction equipment.

On Sunday, May 7, 1972, Investigator Clifford Hayes was off duty and visiting friends at a ranch north of Stilwell. Hayes had been out feeding some cattle when his body was found in a pasture near a construction site. Hayes’ pickup was found nearby with the engine still running. Hayes’ body was in a kneeling position, pitched forward with his forehead lying on the ground.

Local police and the medical examiner found no evidence of foul play and ruled Hayes’ cause of death as a heart attack.

A month later Clifford Hayes’ son came forward with the knit shirt his father was wearing when he died, pointing out suspicious blood stains on the back. The investigation into Hayes’ death was reopened and his body was exhumed, and an autopsy was conducted. It was discovered that Clifford Hayes had been shot in the back with a .22 caliber rifle. The knit shirt Hayes was wearing at the time did not show a bullet hole, his back muscles had contracted to cover the bullet hole and there was no bleeding from the wound until Hayes body was turned over. The murder of Clifford Hayes, Sr. was never solved.

Clifford Hayes, Sr. is buried Sunnylane Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-2-21

Updated June 17, 2024

James Arlie “Jim” Hayes – State Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  July 10, 1988

James Hayes was born April 19, 1934, in Prairie Grove, Washington County, Arkansas to James Delmar and Melba Marie (Sparks) Hayes. Through most of his life James was better known as “Jim’ or “Fish” because of his love of fishing.

James Hayes grew up in northwest Arkansas and attended school in Huntsville, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation James attended the University of Arkansas, but his love of baseball took him in a different direction. James joined a semi-pro baseball league, as a pitcher for several Chicago Cubs farm teams. One story had James making it to “The Big Show” but blew out his arm before he could pitch for the Cubs.

During this same time James married Reta Mae Graham, and they had two daughters, Mary, and Suzanne. With his baseball career ended, James signed on with the Arkansas State Police as a Trooper. A few years later James and Rita had a third daughter, Wendy. Not long after Wendy was born James quit the Arkansas State Police as another dream beckoned. An opportunity to buy several hundred acres of land near his grandparents’ homestead in Witter (near Huntsville) Arkansas, fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a farmer. James and Rita purchased the land, then remodeled and moved into a century old farmhouse on the property.

There they raised their family, as well as beef cattle, plus operated a dairy and poultry business.

In time James and Rita took over the management of the Huntsville Livestock Auction, where they worked for many years. As the dream is always more glamorous than reality, James decided to seek a more stable career and joined the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

In September 1969 James Hayes graduated from the 25th academy of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Trooper James Hayes served in several different detachments of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol over the next nineteen years including thirteen years in the Aircraft Division. Trooper Hayes was then assigned to the Motor Vehicle Division of the highway patrol.

Occasionally Trooper Hayes would pick up extra pay by working an extra patrol shift. On Saturday night, July 9, 1988, Trooper James Hayes was working an extra patrol shift near Catoosa. About 11 p.m. Trooper James Hayes stopped a suspected drunk driver in a pickup near 200th East Avenue and Admiral and requested backup. Trooper Hayes was able to arrest the driver and take him into custody. While trying to get the driver in the back seat of the patrol car the driver resisted, and Trooper Hayes had to use force to get the driver in the patrol car. Trooper Hayes then got in the front seat of his patrol car and suffered a heart attack. About the same time a Rogers County Deputy Sheriff arrived and called for an ambulance. The arrested suspect advised the deputy that he was experienced in CPR and was unhandcuffed and began CPR on Trooper Hayes. Trooper Hayes was transported to Saint Francis hospital where he died shortly after midnight. After the ambulance arrived at the scene the suspect fled. Turned out that the pickup truck was stolen from a nearby bar.

Trooper James Hayes was survived by his wife Reta Mae and their three daughters, Mary Helen, Suzanne, and Wendy Ann.

James Hayes is buried in Friendship Cemetery, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas.

OLEM – 9N-2-20  NLEOM – 34W34

Updated June 18, 2024

James Wallace “Will”  Hayes - Patrolman

Lawton Police Department  April 9, 1916

James Wallace was born in Montgomery County, Missouri on February 3, 1870.

About 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 1916, Patrolman James Hayes, 46, and Captain Hale Landis responded to a call of a man being harassed because he helped Officer Hayes earlier with an arrest.  As the officers arrived, Carl Dudley, the black man doing the harassing, saw the officers and ran into Ray’s Restaurant. As the two officers approached Dudley in Ray’s Restaurant, Carl Dudley fired at them hitting Patrolman James Hayes. Captain Landis and a citizen, who had picked up Patrolman Hayes’ gun, returned fire, wounding Carl Dudley in the shoulder, as Carl Dudley escaped. The wounded Carl Dudley was captured soon afterwards, and taken to Fort Sill for his safety, and his wounds treated but Fort Sill did not have room to keep him. Carl Dudley was then brought to the Comanche County jail.

Patrolman James Hayes died at 4 a.m. the next morning, Sunday, April 9th leaving a wife and an adult son, Ora.

At 10:45 p. m. that Sunday night a mob of one hundred and fifty to two hundred men overpowered the jail guards broke Carl Dudley out of the Comanche County Jail, shot him many times, dragged his dead body behind a car through the streets of Lawton and then hung his body from a telephone pole outside of town where it was found the next day.

Patrolman James “Will” Hayes is buried in Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-1-23  NLEOM – 50E7

Updated April 1, 2024

Joseph P. Heinrichs - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service March 15, 1899

Joseph Heinrichs was born in Germany February 15, 1849. In 1874 he married Lucy Patrick.

On Tuesday, March 14, 1899, Deputy Marshal Joseph Heinrichs and his posse, Thomas Kirk arrested Matthew Craig in the Cherokee Nation for selling whiskey in Indian Territory. Deputy Marshal Heinrichs took the prisoner to his home in Tahlequah to spend the night before transporting him to the federal jail in Muskogee. Posse Thomas Kirk did not accompany them. Deputy Marshal Joseph Heinrichs slept in the same bed as his prisoner. About 3 a.m. the deputy marshal’s wife, Lucy, and two daughters were awakened by a gunshot. They found Deputy Marshal Joseph Heinrichs dead in the bed with a gunshot in an eye and Matthew Craig escaped out a window.  Matthew Craig was captured two days later and charged with the deputy marshal’s death. Posse Thomas Kirk was also charged when Matthew Craig alleged that Thomas Kirk had given him the gun and several rounds of ammunition to escape.

Deputy Marshal Joseph Heinrichs was survived by his wife Lucy and adult daughters Mary, 23, and Kate E., 21.

Joseph Heinrichs is buried in Tahlequah Cemetery, Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-1-11  NLEOM – 24W16

Updated March 8, 2024

Walter Thomason Hembree - Auxiliary Officer

Henryetta Police Department July 25, 1974

Shortly before midnight on Thursday, July 25, 1974, Henryetta Chief of Police Richard Larney and Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree, 60, responded to a call reference a man hiding around a residence in the nearby town of Schulter. As the two officers approached the residence, Darrell Andrews, 20, stepped out from a corner of the house and fired at the two officers with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Auxiliary Police Officer Walter Hembree was wounded in the head and died instantly. Chief Richard Larney was wounded in the side, arm, and leg.

Okmulgee County Deputy Sheriff Burton Brewer, 57, and Morris Police Officer Buck Grace then arrived at the residence also.  Darrell Andrews was now hiding in tall grass behind these two officers and as he rose up Deputy Sheriff Burton Brewer turned around and was shot in the face with the shotgun and killed instantly. Officer Buck Grace then shot and wounded Darrell Andrews and took him into custody.

Less than an hour earlier Darrell Andrews had also killed Thomas Adkins the City Marshal of Dewar.

Police Chief Richard Larney survived his shotgun wounds.

Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree was survived by his wife Gertie and is buried in Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-3-14  NLEOM – 23E19

Updated June 18, 2024

Jacob "Jake" Henderson - City Marshal

City of Dustin October 14, 1941

On the night of Saturday, October 11, 1941, City Marshal Jacob Henderson, 40, had ordered two drunk Fort Sill soldiers to leave a bar and go home. A short time later City Marshal Jacob Henderson saw the two soldiers on the street and arrested them. Soon another soldier, John Gordon, 20, who had been drinking with the first two soldiers, learned that they had been arrested. John Gordon went to the Dustin city jail and pleaded with City Marshal Jacob Henderson to release his two friends. When City Marshal Henderson refused to release the two men, John Gordon went to his car, got a 12-gauge shotgun, and returned to the jail where he shot City Marshal Jacob Henderson in the abdomen. City Marshal Jacob Henderson died three days later October 14th.   

Jacob Henderson had been City Marshal of Dustin for five years and was survived by his wife and four children and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Dustin, Hughes County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-10  NLEOM – 3E22

Updated October 11, 2023

Sam Randolph  Henderson - State Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  May 7, 1941

Sam Randolph was born March 25, 1903, to Roy and Lula Zilla (Randolph) Henderson and married Cynthia Uzilla Showen on August 10, 1933.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 1941, State Trooper Sam Henderson, and Trooper O. M. “Red” Kizziar stopped a car for defective lights in the four-hundred block of Lee Boulevard in Lawton. As Trooper Sam Henderson, 38, walked in front of the patrol car he was stuck by a vehicle going in the opposite direction traveling approximately fifty miles an hour, sideswiping both stopped vehicles. Trooper Sam Henderson was thrown seventy-five feet and died before he could be taken to the hospital across the street. The hit-and-run driver, a Fort Sill soldier, was later located at a bar and charged with driving while intoxicated and first-degree manslaughter.

Sam Henderson was the first Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Trooper to die in the line of duty.

State Trooper Sam Henderson was survived by his wife Cynthia and their two children, daughter Margaret Jean, 7, and son Roy Sam, 7 months old.

Sam Henderson is buried in Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Garvin County, Oklahoma.

Following his father’s death, young Roy Sam Henderson was raised by his maternal grandparents, William, and Hattie Showen.

OLEM – 7N-3-9  NLEOM – 63W3

Updated May 4, 2024

Jesse W. Hendrickson - Deputy Sheriff

“L” County (Grant County) Sheriff’s Office November 11, 1893

One of Sheriff R.H. Hagar's brand-new deputies in "L" County (later Grant County), Oklahoma Territory in 1893 was thirty-five-year-old Jesse Hendrickson, the brother of a local minister. Jesse Hendrickson had been on the job only a few days when Sheriff Hagar assigned him to accompany Undersheriff Johnnie Jones in serving warrants for cattle theft on Frank Boydson and a man named Neil.

  Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson and Undersheriff Johnnie Jones rode out of Pond Creek, the county seat, at mid-morning on Saturday, November 11, 1893. When the county officers arrived at the Boydson cabin, several miles west, they called for the two suspects to "come out." When there was no answer, the county officers pulled Winchesters from their saddle scabbards and started to dismount; an action that was met by a hail of gunfire from the cabin. The first shot killed Undersheriff Jones' horse and another bullet struck Deputy Sheriff Jesse Hendrickson in the leg. Undersheriff Jones returned fire from behind the carcass of his horse, while Deputy Sheriff Jesse Hendrickson took cover by crawling into a nearby depression. Both county officers were pinned down, and Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson's horse had run off to a field near the house when the shooting started. The wounded Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson called out to Undersheriff Jones, telling Jones he could "hold them off," if Undersheriff Jones went for help. 

   As the Undersheriff cautiously crawled his way toward Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson's horse, Frank Boydson and Neil ran from the cabin, crouched behind a wagon, and began firing, forcing Undersheriff Jones to retreat to cover again. Deputy Sheriff Jesse Hendrickson, meanwhile, made his way around behind the suspects' shanty. When Frank Boydson and Neil realized they had been outflanked, one of them ran back inside and began firing at Deputy Sheriff Jesse Hendrickson through cracks in the walls, killing Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson with a shot to the chest. The pair of wanted men then retrieved their horses and rode away to the west. In the meantime, Undersheriff Johnnie Jones had secured Deputy Sheriff Hendrickson's stray mount and headed for help in Pond Creek. 

   A posse that included cavalry troopers stationed at the county seat, trailed Frank Boydson and Neil northwest through the town of Manchester and across the state line to Cameron, Kansas, but by then the pair had disappeared into the rough Gypsum Hill country of Barber County. There is no evidence to indicate that Frank Boydson or Neil was ever captured or tried for their crimes.

  Deputy Sheriff Jesse Hendrickson was laid to rest a mile south of the county seat, in the corner of a quarter section designated as school property. He was the first person buried in what later became Pond Creek Cemetery, Pond Creek, Grant County and the first Grant County lawman to be killed in the line of duty. 

OLEM – 4N-2-5  NLEOM – 28W27

Updated November 5, 2023

John Edmond Hensley - Officer

Muskogee Police Department July 31, 1934

About 8:45 p.m. on Monday, July 30, 1934, Officer John Hensley, 50, and Officer William M. “Billy” Guy stopped a suspicious taxicab at the corner of 21st Street and Boston Avenue. The officers thought it odd for a taxi to be in Muskogee with McAlester license plates.   

The officers were unaware that the cab had been hijacked in McAlester by State Prison escapee Charles Martin who made the cab driver change clothes with him.

Charles Martin got out of the cab and was talking to Officer “Billy” Guy while Officer John Hensley moved the police car out of traffic. Charles Martin then grabbed Officer “Billy” Guy’s gun and hit him in the head with it. Officer John Hensley got out of the police car and started toward his injured partner when Charles Martin started shooting. Officer “Billy” Guy was shot through the right thigh and Officer John Hensley was hit in the foot, the shoulder and in the chest, grazing his heart. Officer John Hensley was able to shoot Charles Martin twice before he fell.

Officer William “Billy” Guy would survive his wound.

Prison escapee Charles Martin died the next morning in the hospital.

Officer John Hensley died shortly after noon the same day, July 31st, leaving a wife and two sons and is buried in Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-5-5  NLEOM – 16E22

Updated June 18, 2024

Alexander S. Heronime - Officer

U. S. Department of Defense Police  December 5, 1958

Alexander Simon Heronime was born in Russia on November 17, 1903, to Peter and Katharina (Hertlein) Heronime.

On the afternoon of Friday, December 5, 1958, Officer Alexander Heronime, 55, was directing traffic at Southeast 29th Street and Industrial Boulevard near Gate Seven (now Hruskocy Gate) of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. As Officer Heronime was directing a flatbed truck out of Gate Seven onto S.E. 29th Street Officer Alexander Heronime was struck by a car driven by seventeen-year-old Peggy Jack. Officer Alexander Heronime was rushed to the Tinker Air Force Base hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Officer Alexander Heronime was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter and is buried in Sunnylane Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-5-1  NLEOM –  

Updated December 3, 2023

Merritt C Hiatt – Officer

Oklahoma City Police Department

Merritt C. Hiatt was born in 1862 in Indiana to John W. and Amanda J. Shafer Hiatt.

Merritt Hiatt was an assistant city jail janitor for the Oklahoma City Police Department. On June 24, 1924, Officer Merit Hiatt died from natural causes at the age of sixty-three at his home at 425 West Frisco (later renamed Southwest Fifth Street.)

Officer Merritt Hiatt was survived by his second wife, Mae and four adult children, sons, Arthur and Claude and daughters, Maude and Myrtle and is buried in Kolb Cemetery, Spencer, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

Merritt Hiatt’s name, mistakenly engraved D C Hiatt, was probably included on the original Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial (now the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial) due to a page in the 1929 Oklahoma City Police Department Annual that listed fourteen officers whose families had collected on a $1,000 police insurance policy provided by an association of Oklahoma City Police officers for officers who died while on duty, even though they did not die in the line of duty. The 1929 Annual noted that six of the fourteen officer’s deaths “were due directly to the nature of their work.” By today’s standards, only two of the six officers, Briggs Chumley and A. L. Walton, meets the commonly accepted standards for a line of duty death. Nevertheless, the other four officers’ names were also engraved on the state’s Peace Officers Memorial when it was built in 1969. The other four officers are M. C. Hiatt, O. M. Milhollan,

M. E. Shelton and W. M. Slaton.

OLEM – 8S-3-21 (D C Hiatt)

Updated June 18, 2024

Charley Hicks – Sheriff

Cooweescoowee District

Cherokee Nation

In December of 1870, Sheriff Charley Hicks became involved in a personal feud with John Coker and his son Calvin. On December 9, 1870, John Coker sent Sheriff Hicks a letter, challenging Hicks to combat to the death, anytime, anyplace. Sheriff Charley Hicks apparently ignored the letter, but the Coker’s did not.

The evening of December 12, 1870, Sheriff Charley Hicks was in his home in the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation with his wife and a man named Murray. John Coker and his son Calvin, both armed, crashed through the door of the house and opened fire on Hicks. John Coker’s first blast from a double-barreled shotgun hit Hicks in the right arm and the second blast knocked Hicks to the floor. The younger Calvin Coker then fired two shots into Hicks as Hicks lay on the floor. The Cokers fled the area and abandoned their house which was burned down within days by vengeful neighbors.

John Coker reportedly died several years later in Arkansas. After some time, Calvin Coker returned to the Cherokee Nation and surrendered himself to the authorities. Calvin Coker was tried and acquitted of the Charley Hicks murder. On September 4, 1876, Calvin Coker was shot in the back by an unknown assailant and killed in a saloon in Coffeeville, Kansas.

OLEM – 5N-1-3

Updated June 18, 2024

Isaac Lincoln  "Ike" Hicks - Special Officer

Bartlesville Police Department    October 16, 1903

Isaac L. Hicks was born August 24, 1856, in Rockcastle County, Kentucky to Bailey and Malinda (Cummins) Hix-Hicks.

Shortly before 4:30 a.m. Friday, October 16, 1903, Special Policeman Isaac Hicks, 47, was making his rounds when he stopped by the Southwest Livery Stable minutes before going off duty. Special Officer Isaac Hicks went into the office and set down. An employee of the stable named Paden was in the office when Officer Hicks came in but left shortly after to tend to some of the horses near the rear of the barn. When Paden returned about half an hour later, he found Officer Isaac Hicks lying on the floor of the office in a pool of blood with a gun shot to his face, just below one eye. Doctors were summoned but Officer Hicks was beyond their help and died shortly afterwards.

Later that morning at 9 a.m. a jury was impaneled by U. S. Commissioner Gilluly. After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury at 2 p.m. returned a verdict that Special Officer Isaac Hick’s death was caused by the accidental discharge of his own revolver.

Special Officer Isaac Hicks was survived by his wife Sarah and their nine children and is buried in White Rose Cemetery, Bartlesville, Washington County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4N-2-12   NLEOM – 24W27

Updated October 11, 2023

William Hicks - Posse, Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service April 15, 1872

William Hicks was one of eleven people killed and as many as nineteen wounded on Monday, April 15, 1872, at the Whitmire Schoolhouse east of Tahlequah, near the modern town of Christie in Adair County in the Going Snake District of the Cherokee Nation.  

Zeke Proctor was being tried by the Cherokee Nation at the schoolhouse for accidentally killing a widow named Polly Beck Hildebrand.  The relatives of Polly convinced the federal court at Fort Smith to intervene in the case. The U.S. Commissioner issued an arrest warrant for Zeke Proctor on a charge of “assault with intent to kill” to Deputy U.S. Marshals Jacob G. Owens and Joseph S. Peavey. The Deputy Marshals led a deputized posse including friends and relatives of Polly Beck Hildebrand to the schoolhouse. As the federal posse entered the schoolhouse a massive gun battle erupted.  Posse members Jesse “Black Sut” Beck, Samuel Beck, William Hicks, George Selvidge, James Ward, and Riley Woods were shot and killed that day. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jacob Owens and Posse William Beck were also wounded and died the next day, April 16th from their gunshot wounds.

The burial site of posse William Hicks is unknown.

OLEM – 9N-1-15   NLEOM – 27W9

Updated June 19, 2024

Benjamin J. "Ben"  Higbee  – City Marshal
City of Coyle  February 1, 1904

Benjamin Higbee was born June 13, 1877, in Iowa to Polk and Melinda M. (Bolt) Higbee. In 1892 Benjamin Higbee’s family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory. Benjamin became a clerk in one of the local drug stores. A few years later Benjamin’s brother Charley became interested in business in Coyle and Benjamin moved there with Charlie. Benjamin became a clerk in a local bank.

Saturday night, January 30, 1904, 27-year-old Benjamin Higbee had only been the City Marshal of Coyle a few weeks when he became involved in a scuffle with John Howe while attempting to arrest Howe on an unknown charge in a local saloon. During the scuffle City Marshal Higbee’s gun fell out of his pocket and discharged as it hit the floor. The bullet struck City Marshal Higbee in the right thigh, cutting a hole in his pants, and entering Higbee’s right groin and traveled upward through his body. City Marshal Higbee put his hand over the wound to stop the bleeding and walked to a nearby local doctor’s office where he was immediately treated by the local doctor but a doctor from Oklahoma City was telegraphed for. When the doctor from Oklahoma City arrived on Monday February 1st, he operated on City Marshal Benjamin Higbee, but the young City Marshal died at 10 a.m. that morning from extensive internal injuries caused by the bullet.

City Marshal Benjamin Higbee was survived by his father Polk, his brother Charley, and a sister.

Benjamin Higbee is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-1-13  NLEOM – 19E26

Updated January 18, 2024

James Richard Hill - Officer

Marlow Police Department  April 20, 1931

James Richard Hill was born March 31, 1876, in Oxford, Mississippi to Reuben George and Martha Jane Catherine (Wooten) Hill.

In 1898 James Hill, then twenty-two years old, married sixteen-year-old Magdalene Sarah Wood.

About 2 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 1931, Officer James Hill, 55, was on patrol with Night Chief Ike Veach when they became suspicious of three men in a 1930 Ford and followed them in their patrol car. The Ford pulled over a block south of Main Street on Seminole Avenue and the officers pulled up across the street from them. Before the officers could get out of their patrol car, the men in the Ford opened fire on them.  Both officers fell out the right-hand side of their car, Officer James Hill falling atop Chief Ike Veach. Officer James Hill had been hit under the left arm with a shotgun blast and died almost instantly. Chief Ike Veach was wounded in the left leg, hand and scalp but was able to return seven shots, wounding one of the men. The Chief’s shots also disabled the suspect’s car. The men then stole another car and escaped.

Officer James Hill was survived by his wife Magdalene and their eight children and is buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

Night Chief Ike Veach survived his gunshot wounds.

Jack Allread, 25, was arrested the next day near Gatlin.

The stolen car was found abandon in Dallas, Texas. Ed Davis, 29, and Paul Martin, 28, were arrested in the east Texas oilfields the next week. Jack Allread and Paul Martin were convicted and sentenced to prison in Oklahoma. Ed Davis, was sent to Lansing Penitentiary in Kanas. On Memorial Day 1933 Ed Davis escaped from the Lansing Prison. By 1937 Ed Davis was in Folsom Prison in California. On September 19, 1937, Ed Davis and several other prisoners tried to escape, killing the warden and a guard. Ed Davis was convicted in the murders and died in California’s gas chamber on December 2, 1938.

OLEM – 4S-2-25  NLEOM – 60E22

Updated April 17, 2024

John Henry Hill Sr. - Officer

Altus Police Department September 7, 1934

About 9:30 p.m. the evening of Friday, September 7, 1934, Officer John Hill, 35, was in route to a Mason’s meeting above a café called “The Shady Rest” located in the 500 block of South Hudson. On his way to the meeting, Officer John Hill encountered two heavily intoxicated white men, G. Frank Stover, 36, and Earl Rose, 35, in the black section of town, which was segregated at the time. After searching the two men for weapons, Officer Hill ordered them to leave the area fearing they would cause trouble. Officer John Hill then went on to the Mason’s meeting.

Apparently incensed at being ordered about by a black officer, the two men went to a nearby pawnshop and bought two .38 caliber pistols. The two men then returned to the black area of town. The men had a young boy take a message to Officer Hill in the Mason meeting that his wife and children were sick, and he needed to return home. As Officer John Hill came out of the Mason meeting, he was again confronted by G. Frank Stover and Earl Rose, at the intersection of South Hudson and Nona (now M. L. King) Streets. Officer John Hill told the two men they were under arrest and while disarming Earl Rose Officer Hill was shot in the back four times by G. Frank Stover. Officer John Hill was able to return fire killing G. Frank Stover before he himself died on the street.

John Henry Hill had been an Altus Police officer about a year and was the first commissioned black police officer of Altus. He was a well-respected member of the community, a Mason, and a member of the St. Johns Baptist Church.

Officer John Hill was survived by his wife Ruby and four children, Martha, Betty, John, and Norris and is buried in Altus Cemetery, Altus, Jackson County, Oklahoma.

Earl Rose was charged with first degree murder but was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter by the jury and sentenced to four years in prison.

OLEM – 9S-2-4  NLEOM – 43W19

Updated September 3, 2023

Leonidas Sengel "Bud" Hill - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service July 17, 1898

Leonidas Sengel Hill was born January 5, 1855, in Walker County, Georgia to James Madison Hill and his wife.

James Boley Grady was the son of Jasper Grady the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Indian Territory. J. Boley Grady was serving as a Posse for Deputy U.S. Marshal Leonidas S. Hill who was serving under U.S. Marshal Jasper Grady.

On Sunday, July 17, 1898, Deputy U. S. Marshal Leonidas S. Hill, 43, and his posse James B. Grady, 29, were in Jenson near the Arkansas state line in the Choctaw Nation attempting to serve an arrest warrant on nineteen-year-old Floyd Simpson for disturbing a religious meeting. The lawmen located Floyd Simpson. Posse James B. Grady wrestled Floyd Simpson to the ground after Grady struck the young Simpson in the head with the butt of his Colt .45 caliber revolver when Simpson resisted arrest.  Floyd Simpson’s father, W. Jasper Simpson witnessed the fight and went up to Posse James B. Grady, pulled Grady’s gun from his holster and shot Posse Grady in the neck killing him. When Deputy Marshal Leonidas Hill approached, and the elder Simpson shot Deputy Marshal Hill in the chest and Hill died within an hour.

The Simpson’s then escaped going out of town in different directions.

Deputy Marshal Leonidas S. “Bud” Hill was survived by his wife Kathrine “Kate” (Tucker) and two young sons, Leonidas, 5, and Lawrence, 3, and is buried in Hall Cemetery, Poteau, Le Flore County, Oklahoma.

Floyd Simpson rode to Hackett City, Arkansas and surrendered to the Constable there. On July 28th bond was set at five- thousand- dollars for Floyd Simpson, who could not make bail.

Weeks passed and the trail of Jasper Simpson grew cold.

On October 6, 1898, a grand jury met and issued true bills charging both Simpsons with the murder of both lawmen.

Jasper Simpson continued to elude arrest for more than two years, until April 1901, when he was arrested in Arkansas. Since Jasper Simpson had contracted smallpox, he was placed in a dug out away from the other prisoners. Shortly thereafter Jasper Simpson escaped jail.

The trial of Floyd Simpson was conducted in April 1899. The jury found him not guilty on both murder charges and he was released.

In early January 1904, Jasper Simpson was arrested near Marlow. The legal maneuvers flourished as the defense attorneys filed one motion after another. Close to six years had elapsed since Deputy U.S. Marshal Leonidas S. Hill and his Posse James Boley Grady had been murdered.

On May 4, 1904, the defense presented a motion to quash the indictment. A federal judge dismissed the case and Jasper Simpson went free.

OLEM – 5N-5-6  NLEOM – 15E14

Updated June 17, 2024

Romie Harris Hinson - Officer

Muskogee Police Department December 9, 1934

Romie Hinson was born December 1, 1884, in Houston, Texas to Jerome Bonepart and Sophie H. (Jarnigan) Hinson. In 1906 Romie Hinson moved to Beaumont, Texas where he went into the contracting business. After serving in the Army in World War I, Romie Hinson moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1919. On December 23, 1919, Romine Hinson married Rubye Hattie Skelton. In 1929 Romie Hinson joined the Muskogee Police Department. By 1934 Romie Hinson was serving as a plain clothes officer.

About 8:45 p.m. on Monday, December 3, 1934, Officer Romie Hinson, 50, and Officer William M. “Billy” Guy arrested James Vernon during a call to a minor traffic accident. James Vernon broke free of the officers and ran to his car. As Officer Romie Hinson pulled James Vernon out of his car, Vernon shot Officer Romie Hinson in the chest with a .32 caliber revolver. Officer William Guy then shot James Vernon in the head killing him. Officer Romie Hinson, shot through both lungs, died the morning of Sunday, December 9th.

Officer Romie Hinson was survived by his wife Rubye and is buried in the Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-4-15  NLEOM – 27E23

Updated June 19, 2024

Edgar “Edd” Hixson - Chief of Police

Claremore Police Department October 4, 1961

Edgar “Edd” Hixson and his twin brother Edgar William were born on May 14, 1924, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to George, 51, and Gertrude, 27, Hixson.

Just before midnight on Tuesday, October 3, 1961, Chief “Edd”Hixson, 37, radioed that he was involved in a pursuit with two men in a late model dark green Chevrolet. There was no further radio contact. Responding officers soon found Chief ”Edd” Hixon had been in a rollover accident five miles west of Big Cabin on a Craig County road about two miles southwest of Whiteoak where he had apparently lost control of his police car while pursuing the dark green Chevrolet. Chief Edgar “Edd” Hixson died from his injuries early the next morning, October 4th in a Claremore hospital.

Chief Edgar “Edd” Hixson was survived by his wife, Helen, son Edd and three daughters, Linda, Audine, and Kathrine.

 Chief Edgar “Edd” Hixson is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.

Neither the suspects or their vehicle were ever identified.

OLEM – 7N-5-15  NLEOM – 29W9

Updated September 28, 2023

Lee Hobbs - Special Officer

Missouri, Kansas & Texas (MK&T) Railroad February 21, 1935

Lee Hobbs, 38, had been a Special Officer for twelve years when his body was found in the north McAlester railroad yards about 7 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, 1935. Officer Lee Hobbs had suffered a broken left arm and a massive gash between his eyes. Some witnesses reported hearing gun shots in the area the night before, but Officer Lee Hobbs had not been shot nor had his gun been drawn or fired. It was eventually decided that Special Officer Lee Hobbs’ death had been caused by a swinging door or some type of steel projection from a passing railroad car striking his head while he was walking the tracks on his nightly rounds.

Special Officer Lee Hobbs was survived by his wife Anna Mae and their two children, Mark, and Alice Mae.

Lee Hobbs is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-4-16  NLEOM – 61E27

Updated February 17, 2024

Dick Vernon Hobson Jr.- Senior Patrol Officer

Canine Officer

Tulsa Police Department June 11, 1996

Dick Hobson was born in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 21, 1951, to Dick V. and Alice K (Wolff) Hobson.

Following his service in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer and graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Administration, Dick Hobson, Jr. joined the Tulsa Police Department on June 29, 1978. In June 1985 Officer Dick Hobson transferred to the Canine Unit.

At 9:35 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 1996, a white man, a black man, and an American Indian robbed a fast-food restaurant at 1400 South Peoria. Moments after the three robbers fled, a stolen white Mitsubishi vehicle was wrecked on I-44 near the robbery scene.  A white male was seen running from the wrecked car with a “rifle”.  Canine Officers Dick Hobson, 45, and Steve Downie, 38, responded to the scene to search for the robbery suspects.

The two officers began searching an alley with their police dogs when they were fired upon from ambush with a 20-gauge shotgun. Officer Dick Hobson was not wearing a bullet proof vest and struck in the chest and Officer Steve Downie was struck in the leg. Officer Dick Hobson’s canine partner, Dino, attacked the suspect. Three other officers in the alley returned fire at the same time and killed Steven Michael Williams, 21, the white robbery suspect.

Officer Dick Hobson died from his wounds the next morning, June 11th at 5 a.m. Officer Dick Hobson had been a Tulsa Police Officer for eighteen years.

Officer Dick Hobson was survived by his wife, Ann, eight-year-old son Drew and eighteen-year-old daughter Jericho.

Dick Hobson is buried in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Canine Officer Steve Downie recovered from the shotgun wound to his leg.

OLEM – 4S-1-19  NLEOM -19E20

Updated June 3, 2024

Gerald Orvin Hodge - Deputy Sheriff

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office January 3, 1935

About 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 1935, Deputy Sheriff Gerald Hodge, 30, was leading several other officers in the search for ex-convict Buster Cooper, 27, wanted for several armed robberies in the area. The officers went to the home of Buster Cooper’s sister near Picher. When Deputy Sheriff Gerald Hodge went to the front door and ordered that it be opened, a man opened the door and started backing up. Deputy Sheriff Hodge followed the man inside. As Deputy Hodge entered the house, Buster Cooper ran into the room and shot the deputy. The other officers then opened fire on Buster Cooper killing him with twenty-seven bullet wounds.

Deputy Sheriff Gerald Hodge died the next day, January 3rd and was survived by his wife, daughter and son.

Gerald Hodge is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-7 & 8S-4-30  NLEOM – 50W19

Updated January 2, 2024

Charles Washington Hodges - Deputy Sheriff

Haskell County Sheriff’s Office February 27, 1910

On Saturday, February 26, 1910, at about 5 p.m. Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges arrested John Sanders in the town of Quinton near the Haskell County line in Pittsburg County. Just after the arrest, a man named Roy Kent who Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges had been drinking with earlier in the day approached the deputy sheriff and said he wanted to talk to him. Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges told Roy Kent “Go on away. I ain’t got time to fool with you.”

Prisoner John Sanders asked Deputy Sheriff Hodges if he would take him to his friend named Honea’s house to secure his bond. Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges walked with his prisoner to Honea’s house which was near Roy Kent’s house. The two men saw Roy Kent going in his house. After a few minutes Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges, John Sanders and Honea left the house and started to go up the street. As they passed a near a tree Roy Kent stepped out with a Winchester rifle behind the three men and as Deputy Sheriff Charles Hodges turned around Roy Kent shot him in the heart, killing him.

Roy Kent then pointed the rifle at the other two men then walked off into the nearby woods. Roy Kent was arrested the next evening at about 6 p.m. in Red Oak.

Charles Hodges had been a deputy sheriff for three months and was survived by his second wife Mary and their one-year-old son Harvey plus six children from his first marriage.

Charles Hodges is buried in Lona Valley Cemetery, Kinta, Haskell County, Oklahoma.

Roy Kent was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to nine years in the penitentiary.

OLEM – 9S-1-4 / 4N-1-1  NLEOM – 46E25

Updated February 23, 2024

Alonzo Walter "Lon" Holden - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service May 7, 1909

During the early morning hours of Friday, May 7, 1909, the Sheriffs of McCurtain, Pushmataha, and Choctaw Counties along with their deputies and Deputy U.S. Marshal Alonzo Holden congregated to serve arrest warrants on two local men, J. W. Myers, and “Dad” Lee for operating an illegal still.

Alonzo Holden had served as the first City Marshal of Hugo before becoming a Deputy U. S. Marshal. Before leaving on the raid that Friday morning Deputy Marshal Alonzo Holden told his wife Sarah that he felt someone was going to be killed. His wife responded, “Oh Lon, I hope it won’t be you.”  

Almost twenty officers surrounded the house at the Lee farm. Choctaw County Sheriff R. W. Connell then went to the front of the house and told a child to have the men in the house come out.  At that point two men ran out the back of the house and J. W. Myers and “Dad” Lee were captured.  Deputy Marshal Alonzo Holden then left his post on the east side of the house and began walking around to the south rear side. Deputy Marshal Holden saw an eighteen-year-old youth running into the woods toward the still. Deputy Marshal Holden fired his weapon in the air to try to halt the young man. However, when Deputy Marshal Holden fired his gun in the air a general gunfight broke out. The firing stopped just as dawn was breaking. Two others of the posse had been wounded plus one moonshiner. Two other moonshiners were killed as was Deputy Marshal Alonzo Holden. Deputy Marshal Holden had been shot in the head with a rifle accidentally by one of the other officers. The officers confiscated a sixty-gallon still and fifteen gallons of mash whiskey.

Deputy Marshal Alonzo Holden was survived by his wife Sarah and their six young children and is buried in Springs Chapel Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-1-3  NLEOM – 25W6

Updated May 4, 2024

Otto Holler - Night Officer

City of Eldorado November 9, 1924

Otto J. Holler was born June 4, 1892, at Lipan, Hood County, Texas to Dr. Zachariah T. and Martha D. (McClearin) Holler. On April 16, 1911, Otto Holler married Willie Mae Bennett.

On Sunday, November 9, 1924, Night Officers Otto Holler and Tom Daniels were making their rounds when they noticed a car behind the bank near the Sterner and Stone Store. The car was starting to leave as the two officers approached the driver Johnnie Washington aka J. D. Wagoner and stopped him. As the officers were looking inside the car Johnnie Washington jumped from the car and started running as he fired two shots over his shoulder at the officers. Johnnie Washington’s first shot hit Night Officer Otto Holler, killing him instantly.

Night Officer Otto Holler was survived by his wife Willie and their two sons Cecil and Raymond. Otto Holler is buried in the Eldorado Cemetery, Eldorado, Jackson County, Oklahoma.

Johnnie Washington was arrested later that week in Texas and returned to Oklahoma where he was convicted of Officer Otto Holler’s murder and sentenced to death. Johnnie Washington died in the Oklahoma electric chair on December 4, 1925.

OLEM – 4N-2-1  NLEOM – 58W24

Updated June 19, 2024

Fred Hollingsworth - Deputy Sheriff

Washita County Sheriff’s Office July 12, 1915

The morning of Monday, July 12, 1915, Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth, 40, led a posse of local citizens in search of a suspect in the burglary of the Herring & Young general merchandise store in Clinton a couple nights before. A .38 caliber revolver and other items were taken in the burglary. A piece of a broken knife blade was found on the window seal of a window, the point of entry to the burglarized store.

The posse spread out and were to meet every few miles to compare progress. When Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth failed to show up at one of the meeting places, a search began. Deputy Sheriff Hollingworth’s dead body was found about 11 a.m. eleven miles southwest of Clinton just over the Custer County line.  Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth had been shot in the heart apparently with the same .38 caliber revolver taken in the store burglary.

Deputy Hollingsworth’s gun, a 41 double action Colt was laying about a foot from his left hand and had been fired four times. A bundle of clothes taken in the burglary was nearby also.

Later that same Monday night about midnight Robert Miller, 18, was arrested in Elk City as he attempted to board a west bound train. A search of Miller found a .38 caliber revolver, a knife with a broken blade and items identified as stolen from the Herring & Young store.  

Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth had been a Washita County Deputy Sheriff for four years and was survived by his wife.

The exact burial site of Fred Hollingsworth is unknown but is in a cemetery near his old home south of Carnegie.

Robert Miller was tried twice for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth and both trials ended in hung juries.

In July 1916 while awaiting trial for a third time, Robert Miller and another jail inmate, John Huddleston escaped from the Custer County jail at Arapaho. Nothing has been found indicating that Robert Miller was ever recaptured or tried again for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Fred Hollingsworth.

OLEM – 10N-2-10  NLEOM – 19E25

Updated June 19, 2024

Armstead Homer - Deputy Sheriff

Kiamichi County, Choctaw Nation, I.T. May 16, 1891

In 1891 Kiamichi County covered most of the current Choctaw County. On Saturday, May 16, 1891, Deputy Sheriff Armstead Homer went to the farm of James Lowman, near Antlers to search for illegal whiskey. Later while Deputy Sheriff Homer was talking to James Lowman about the whiskey he had found and advising him, he intended to destroy it, James Lowman drew his gun and shot Deputy Sheriff Armstead Homer several times killing him.   

The burial site of Deputy Sheriff Armstead Homer is unknown.

OLEM – 4S-1-5  NLEOM – 14W19

Updated May 6, 2024

Thomas  Jasper  "Tom" Hood - Deputy Sheriff

Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office  March 27, 1933

The body of Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hood was found in the remote mountainous region of northeastern Sequoyah County about four miles from the town of Short on Tuesday morning March 28, 1933. Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hood’s body was found by his brother who began searching for him after he failed to return home Monday night. Deputy Sheriff Hood had been shot in the face, head, and left shoulder with Number 4 buckshot. Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hood had left his home in Short late Monday afternoon, telling his family he was going to the “bluff” near where his body was found, to look for moonshiners. A family living in the vicinity of the bluff said they heard several shots Monday night. Deputy Sheriff Hood’s body was near a whiskey still and cache which was within a few hundred yards of the farm home of Jim Tune. Jim Tune and his son Jess were arrested for the murder of Deputy Hood.

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hood, 36, was survived by his pregnant wife Jennie and their seven children and is buried in Allison Cemetery, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-3-4  NLEOM – 35E26

Updated March 23, 2024

William Arthur Hood - Constable

Graystone Township  February 2, 1928

William Hood was born September 21, 1882, in Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi to John A. and Victoria Ann (Gibson) Hood.

In 1903 William Hood married Laura Wyatt. In 1917 William Hood moved his family from Shelby County, Texas to Jefferson County, Oklahoma. William Hood became the Constable for Grayson Township in Jefferson County.

At about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, January 28, 1928, Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill, 45, and Grayson Township Constable William Hood, 45, were patrolling the usual Saturday night dance in Addington to keep order. As the two officers crossed the street between two Chevrolet sedans, someone in one of the cars opened fire on them.

Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill was shot in the right shoulder with the bullet ranging downward through his chest. Deputy Sheriff Harvill had been shot from such close range that the muzzle blast set his overcoat on fire. Deputy Sheriff Louis Harvill died less than half an hour later but not before identifying Green Smiddy, 23, as their assailant.

Constable William Hood was wounded in the right leg near the groin and died just after midnight four nights later Thursday, February 2, 1928.  

Constable William Hood was survived by his wife Laura and their two children, Hattie Elizabeth, 15, and Jack Anderson, 13.

William Hood is buried in Waurika Cemetery, Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma.

Green Smiddy was arrested and charged with the murder of both officers.

OLEM – 9S-1-11  NLEOM – 61W26

Updated January 18, 2024

Luther "Lute" Houston - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service October 20, 1902

Deputy U.S. Marshal Luther Houston’s decomposing body was found on Wednesday, October 29, 1902, near Swan Lake in southwestern Caddo County. Deputy Marshal Houston had been dead for almost two weeks. Deputy Marshal Luther Houston had been shot numerous times and was found with a rope around his neck, his hands tied behind his back and a nearby tree limb showed signs that he had been hanged there. Deputy Marshal Luther Houston had infiltrated the Bert Casey gang but had been found out and was brutally murdered by the gang.

Another deputy marshal, Fred Hudson, had also already infiltrated the Bert Casey gang and was a witness to Deputy U.S. Marshal Luther Houston’s murder on Monday, October 20th.

 On November 2, 1902, Deputy U.S. Marshal Hudson and another deputy marshal killed Bert Casey in a shootout near Cleo Springs in Woods County.

The burial site of Deputy U.S. Marshal Luther “Lute” Houston is unknown.

OLEM – 10N-3-9  NLEOM – 14W10

Updated October 18, 2023

Sequoyah Houston, - Deputy Sheriff

Tahlequah District, Cherokee Nation, I.T.  June 17, 1894

Deputy Sheriff Sequoyah Houston, 32, was a member of a posse that was attempting to arrest members of the Bill Cook gang at “The Halfway House” on Fourteen Mile Creek near present day Hulbert (halfway between Tahlequah and Wagoner) on Sunday afternoon, June 17, 1894. Deputy Sheriff Sequoyah Houston was in a ravine on the west side of the house when the gunfight with the outlaws broke out during which Deputy Sheriff Sequoyah Houston was shot and killed.

Sequoyah Houston was survived by his wife Mary Ann and three children, Mack, 7, Alexander, 3, and George 6 months old.

Sequoyah Houston is buried in a marked grave on private property as his grave was not moved with the other graves when the cemetery, Blue Springs Cemetery, Gideon, Cherokee County, Oklahoma, was moved across the street.

Although Jim Cook was convicted in Cherokee Court of manslaughter in the death of Deputy Sheriff Sequoyah Houston it is generally believed that Crawford Goldsby “Cherokee Bill” had actually killed the deputy sheriff. “Cherokee Bill” was later hanged at Fort Smith on March 17, 1896, for another murder.

OLEM – 5N-2-7  NLEOM – 21W19 [Houstan]

Updated June 3, 2024

John S. Howard - City Marshal

City of South Oklahoma (City) June 14, 1889

On Thursday, June 13, 1889, John Howard, 32, was appointed City Marshal of South Oklahoma, replacing Clyde Mattox.

About 4 p.m. the next day, Friday, June 14th, Clyde Mattox was drunk and disgruntled about being replaced. Clyde Mattox began firing his Winchester rifle into the ground in front of the South Oklahoma Municipal Judge’s office in the 100 block of West Reno Avenue. City Marshal John Howard came out of the judge’s office and Clyde Mattox began firing at him. City Marshal John Howard returned fire along with Assistant City Marshal, Dan McKay. When Clyde Mattox ran out of ammunition he ran away. All three men were wounded in the shootout. City Marshal John Howard died of his wounds soon after being wounded.

City Marshal John Howard was the first lawman to die in the line of duty in what is today Oklahoma City.

John Howard is buried in Bolivar Cemetery, Bolivar, Denton County, Texas.

OLEM – 5N-2-20  NLEOM – 46E2

Updated June 3, 2024

Cell Coolidge Howell - First Lieutenant

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  April 27, 1977

Cell C. Howell joined the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1958. 1n 1977 First Lieutenant Cell Howell was serving as the Troop Commander on the H. E. Bailey Turnpike.

At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 1977, First Lieutenant Cell Howell was near the entrance to the H. E. Baily Turnpike on Highway 62 in far southwest Oklahoma City. As Lieutenant Howell walked on the shoulder of the highway to assist a stranded motorist, he was struck by a vehicle and knocked thirty feet, sustaining fatal injuries. The vehicle that struck Lieutenant Howell left the scene. The driver of hit and run vehicle was arrested a short time later at SW 15th and S. Agnew in Oklahoma City on his way to work in the stockyards for drunk driving and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

First Lieutenant Cell Howell was survived by his wife Dicey O. (Hughes), two sons and a daughter and is buried in Alex Cemetery, Alex, Grady County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-3-20  NLEOM – 28W8

Updated June 19, 2024

Robert “Bob” Hubbard - Deputy 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.

Robert Hubbard was buried in Woodsdale Cemetery but in 1930 his grave was moved to Moscow Cemetery, Moscow, Stevens County, Kansas.

OLEM – 4N-1-18  NLEOM –

Updated June 19, 2024

Thomas "Tom"  Jefferson  Hueston - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service September 2, 1893

Thomas J. Hueston was born August 4, 1855, at Helena, Sandusky County, Ohio to Alexander Chauncy and Nancy Elizabeth (Phelps) Hueston.

In late August 1893, Bill Dalton, Bill Doolin, George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb, Red Buck Weightman, Dynamite Dick Clifton, Tulsa Jack Blake and Roy “Arkansas Tom” Daugherty, members of the Dalton/Doolin gang were reported to be in Ingalls, a small town ten miles east of Stillwater in Payne County, Oklahoma Territory.

On Friday, September 1, 1893, two covered wagons entered Ingalls. Concealed inside them was the ominous number of thirteen Deputy U.S. Marshals; Thomas J. Hueston, Lafayette Shadley, Dick Speed, Ham Hueston (Tom’s brother), Henry Keller, George Cox, M. A. Iauson, H. A. Thompson, John Hixson, Jim Masterson (Bat’s brother), Doc Roberts, Ike Steel and Steve Burke.

Seeing George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb leading his horse down the street, Deputy Marshal Dick Speed opened the battle by wounding George Newcomb. George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb drew up his Winchester just as Deputy Marshal Dick Speed threw up his rifle and fired. Deputy Marshal Dick Speed’s bullet shattered the magazine on George Newcomb’s Winchester driving part of it into his leg. “Bitter Creek’s” first shot went wild, and he was unable to get off a second shot with the damaged gun. Deputy Marshal Dick Speed stepped up and took aim for a final shot at “Bitter Creek.” In the meantime, Roy Daughtery also known as “Arkansas Tom” heard the shots, ran to his second-floor OK Hotel room window in time to see Deputy Marshal Dick Speed take aim at George Newcomb. “Arkansas Tom” quickly shot Deputy Marshal Dick Speed, hitting him first in the shoulder and then killing him instantly with a second shot. Roy Daugherty then shot Deputy Marshal Thomas Hueston twice, once in the left side and once in the bowels.

Deputy Marshal Lafayette Shadley was shot three times while trying to climb through a fence by either Roy Daugherty or Bill Dalton or both. Roy Daugherty was arrested that day, but the rest of the gang escaped. Deputy Marshal Thomas Hueston died the next day on September 2nd. Deputy Marshal Lafayette Shadley, 49, died the day after that on September 3rd.

Deputy Marshal Tom Hueston’s first wife Amelia Sarah (Shuman) died in 1890. Tom Hueston married Arizona C. (Payne) later that year and was survived by his second wife, three daughters Ethel, 12, Inez, 8 and Maude, 7 and a son Claud, 7.

Thomas J. Hueston is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 5N-2-6 (Houston)  NLEOM – 32W14

Updated January 20, 2024

Boss Huffman - Special Agent

St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad March 12, 1918

Special Agent Boss Huffman, 32, was instantly killed about eleven o’clock the night of Tuesday, March 12, 1918, when his foot became caught in the railroad tracks as he started across them as a switch engine was backing cars westward. The accident occurred where the Frisco and Midland Valley tracks cross in Tulsa. Special Agent Boss Huffman‘s body was badly mangled.

Boss Huffman is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-3-14  NLEOM – 53E29

Updated June 21, 2024

Albert Wesley Hufford – Special Agent

Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad Police  

Albert W. Hufford was born at Breman, Fairfield County, Ohio on December 17, 1874. On October 6, 1897, at the age of 22, Albert married Eunice Lanetta Gager, age 20, in Neosho County, Kansas. To this union three children were born, Joe A., Ford N., and Bertha E.

Albert had been employed by the “Katy Railroad” for several years by 1916. At about 9 a.m. the morning of Friday, September 15, 1916, Railroad Agent Hufford found two “bums” fixing coffee in the high weeds near the train yard at Muskogee. As Agent Hufford, 41, approached the men to search them, they opened fire on him with their handguns. Agent Hufford was hit four times, including the most serious a shot from a .45 to his left cheek that exited behind his right ear. The two “bums” then stole Hufford’s papers, watch, and gun and fled into the high weeds.

 Agent Hufford was rushed to a hospital by men working in the railroad yard and heard the shots. He was not expected to survive his serious multiple gunshot wounds.

The two bums, Joe Schanback and Thomas Martin, were soon arrested in the area with Agent Hufford’s papers, watch and gun in their possession. Both men pled guilty in late November to the charge of shooting with intent to kill and each received a sentence of forty years in the Oklahoma Penitentiary.

Agent Albert Hufford would go on to survive his wounds and died at the age of 72 in Riverside County, California.

Agent Albert Hufford’s name was mistakenly engraved on the Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial when it was constructed in the late 1960’s.

OLEM – 5N-5-18

Updated June 23, 2024

L C Hughes - City Marshal

Mill Creek (Johnston County) November 20, 1904

Just before midnight Saturday night November 19, 1904, City Marshal L. C. Hughes, Deputy City Marshal Will Elliott, and Deputy U. S. Marshal W. H. Sublett went to the south part of the town of Mill Creek and secreted themselves under a bridge to wait for some young men who were drunk and causing a disturbance in town to come by on their way home.

When the two rowdy men approached the bridge on horseback the three lawmen crawled out from beneath the bridge to stop and arrest the men. Deputy City Marshal Will Elliott, who was behind City Marshal L. C. Hughes, stumbled causing his gun to discharge and the bullet striking City Marshal L. C. Hughes in the back. The two rowdy men rode away when ordered to stop by the other two officers who then fired at them hitting one of the men, named Bud Works. City Marshal L. C. Hughes died half an hour later from his wound. Bud Works died Sunday evening, November 20th at 10:30 p. m.

City Marshal L. C. Hughes is buried in the Dougherty Cemetery, Dougherty, Murray County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-1-13  NLEOM – 44W29

Updated July 1, 2024

William H. Humble – Deputy Sheriff, Jailer
Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office June 10, 1930

Tuesday evening, June 10, 1930, about 8 p.m., forty-two-year-old Deputy Sheriff William Humble and his wife, Lillie, were returning to their home from a baseball practice when they were flagged down in front of a service station by the owner Sam Allen’s wife Jeanette. Mrs. Allen told the Deputy Sheriff that her husband wanted to see him. Deputy Sheriff William Humble left his wife in the car and went in the rear of the station where the Allen’s lived. As Deputy Sheriff Humble entered the residence Sam Allen started shooting striking the Deputy Sheriff three times. When Mrs. Humble heard the shots, she tried to go to her husband’s aid but was stopped by Mrs. Allen who started hitting Mrs. Humble with a club. Mrs. Humble was hospitalized as was her husband. Deputy Sheriff William Humble died a few hours after being shot. Apparently, Sam Allen held a grudge against the county officers because of raids on his station for liquor violations.

Sam Allen was found guilty of First-Degree Manslaughter and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Mrs. Allen was also charged but it is unknown if she ever went to trial or the results if she did.

Deputy Sheriff William Humble had been in law enforcement for eighteen years prior to his death.

Besides his wife, Lillie May (Black), Deputy Sheriff Humble was survived by an adult son named Ray Clifton and is buried in Roosevelt Cemetery, Roosevelt, Kiowa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-3-2  NLEOM – 48W27

Updated June 3, 2024

William Milton "Will" Humphrey - Motorcycle Officer

Logan County Highway Patrol April 1, 1927

At 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, March 27, 1927, Officer William Humphrey, 49, was north bound on his county motorcycle with a sidecar in pursuit of a speeder on State Highway 4 two miles south of Guthrie when a south bound car started to make a left turn in front of him. Officer William Humphrey swerved to the left to go around the turning car and collided with a Chevrolet sedan that was behind the turning car. The force of the impact turned the Chevrolet over and threw Officer William Humphrey in the air. The four people in the Chevrolet were slightly injured and along with Officer Humphrey were rushed to the hospital in Guthrie.

Officer William Humphrey suffered a fractured skull, a broken leg and shoulder. Officer William Humphrey lost consciousness about 2 a.m. Monday morning and never regained it before he died at 12:30 a.m. the morning of Friday, April 1, with his wife Maude and their three sons Vernon, 20, Carroll, 17, and Freddy, 12, by his side.

William Humphrey had served as County Assessor prior to being appointed as an officer six weeks before the accident. Following his death, Officer William Humphrey’s oldest son Vernon, was appointed to take William Humphrey’s place as county motorcycle officer.

Officer William Humphrey is buried in McKinley Cemetery, Meridian, Logan County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-3-4  NLEOM – 36W23

Updated March 30, 2024

Orrel Thomas “Ollie” Hunt – Officer

Ada Police Department

Orrel Hunt was born in Marshfield, Webster County, Missouri, on April 18, 1884, to Lemuel Pleasant and Ora Emma (Couch) Hunt.

At about 1 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 1925, Ada Officer O. T. Hunt met the southbound Frisco railroad train at the depot as it pulled into Ada. One of the train’s porters pointed out a shabbily dressed elderly man to Officer Hunt. The porter reported that the man was so drunk that he had to pour water on him to wake him up when it was time to leave the train. Officer Hunt approached the man and arrested him without any resistance and began walking the man to jail. As the two men reached the corner of the Oklahoma State Bank, the man drew a gun and Officer Hunt began struggling with the elderly man over the gun. The gun discharged with the bullet passing through Officer Hunt’s lower right abdomen, groin and hip bone. The elderly man then escaped.

Officer Orrel Hunt’s wound was initially reported as being a moral wound but after being hospitalized for three months Officer Hunt survived his wound. In 1926 Orrel Thomas Hunt became the Commissioner of Public Works for Ada.

Orrel Thomas Hunt died July 6, 1969, in Madill, Oklahoma at the age of 85 and is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma next to his wife Lucinda Marie “Lou” (Pryor) Hunt who had died in 1964.

OLEM – 8S-3-24 (O. T. Hunt)

Updated July 1, 2024

Henry James Jackson "Jack" Hunter - Deputy Sheriff

McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office  May 8, 1920

Henry J. J. Hunter was born April 29, 1877, in Lawrence County, Alabama

He married Susan Bear, and five children were born to this union.

About 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 1920, Deputy Sheriff Henry Hunter, 43, went to the jail cell of Lester Clark, 27, and Will Davis, to collect their breakfast dishes. Deputy Sheriff Hunter had served as county jailer for ten years. Lester Clark was being held for Seattle, Washington authorities on charges of bigamy and forgery. Will Davis had been arrested for being insane. As the deputy sheriff turned to leave with the dishes, Lester Clark told him he forgot something. When Deputy Sheriff Henry Hunter turned around, Lester Clark shot him in the heart with a .25 caliber automatic pistol. Lester Clark and Will Davis then escaped over the dead deputy sheriff’s body.

Deputy Sheriff Henry Hunter was survived by his wife Susan and their five children, three daughters and two sons Leo, 3, and Frank.

Deputy Sheriff Henry J. J. Hunter is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma.

Lester Clark’s wife of a recent marriage and a friend, Hale Taylor, were arrested for smuggling the gun into the McIntosh County jail.

Lester Clark was shot and killed later that month on May 29th by McIntosh County Sheriff J. W. McCune and Deputy Sheriff Jim Rushing on a farm near Alma, Arkansas when Lester Clark resisted arrest.

OLEM – 8S-3-6  NLEOM – 32W27

Updated May 4, 2024

Jesse C. Huskey - Patrolman

Sand Springs Police Department December 9, 1933

About 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 1933, Officer Jesse Huskey and Merchant Policeman Arthur Burkett were talking near a gas station when they noticed three men running down the MK&T railroad tracks. The officers yelled for the men to halt but they kept on running with the officers in foot pursuit. The officers soon lost sight of the men and started searching a nearby engine house. While searching the engine house, Officer Jesse Huskey was shot from a distance of about eight feet. The bullet went through one arm and into his chest. Both officers returned fire, but the suspects escaped. Officer Jesse Huskey died before medical help could arrive.

Officer Jesse Huskey, 48, had been a Sand Springs officer for seven months and was survived by his wife Leva and three children, Burlie, Earl, and Buena and is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-3 (O L)  NLEOM – 50WE [Haskey]

Updated July 1, 2024

William Dutton Hutchins -Officer

Claremore Police Department November 13, 1918

About 9:30 p.m. the night of Wednesday, November 13, 1918, night officer William Hutchins, 53, went to the Sequoyah Hotel to arrest Cecil Fitzgerald, a black porter at the hotel. As Officer William Hutchins approached Cecil Fitzgerald in the crowded lobby of the hotel, Fitzgerald pulled a gun and shot Officer William Hutchins through the heart and left side. Fitzgerald also fired a third shot that went wild. Officer William Hutchins was able to fire one return shot before he died but without effect. Cecil Fitzgerald escaped through an alley.

Officer William Hutchins was survived by his wife Lillie and an adopted son and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery,

Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-1-4  NLEOM – 1E30

Updated November 5, 2023

James Henry "Jim" Hutchison  - Officer

Healdton Police Department March 27, 1930

The morning of Tuesday, February 18, 1930, Officer James Hutchison, and Constable Bill Ratliff went to arrest Charlie Smith. Charlie Smith was wanted for defaulting on an appeal bond following his conviction for manslaughter for the death of a young schoolgirl when Charlie Smith ran her down in a traffic accident a couple years earlier. Charlie Smith had been sentenced to two years in prison. When Officer James Hutchison and Constable Ratliff approached Charlie Smith, he opened fire on the officers. Officer James Hutchison was wounded in the left knee, but Constable Ratliff was uninjured. Charlie Smith was soon arrested by two Carter County Deputy Sheriffs and placed in jail in Ardmore. Officer James Hutchison was transported to the Von Keller Hospital in Ardmore for treatment of his wound. Officer James Hutchison contracted pneumonia and developed an infection in the wound while in the hospital, but it was thought he would make a recovery. The morning of Thursday, March 27th Officer James Hutchison died from complications from the infection.

That same morning Charles Smith had been transferred to the state penitentiary at McAlester to start his sentence for the manslaughter charge. Charles Smith was charged with murder in the death of Officer James Hutchison and brought back to Ardmore for trial.

Officer James Hutchison was survived by his wife Garland and eight children ranging from 24 to 6 years of age and is buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Healdton, Carter County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4N-1-9  NLEOM – 50W29

Updated March 23, 2024