Franklin “Frank” Dalton – Deputy U. S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  November 27, 1887

Frank Dalton was the oldest brother of the infamous Dalton brothers who would go on

to form the Dalton Gang. Frank Dalton became, without much effort, the success story of the Dalton family. He was commissioned as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, serving under Judge Parker, and quickly developed a reputation as being a brave lawman. Based out of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Frank Dalton was involved in several shootouts and high-risk arrests over a three-year period.

In November 1887 Deputies Frank Dalton and James R. Cole were on the trail of outlaw Dave Smith, wanted for horse theft and introducing whiskey into Indian country.

On Sunday, November 27, 1887, the two deputies located Dave Smith in a wood chopper’s camp in the Arkansas River bottoms west of Arkoma in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma Territory. Dave Smith was hiding in a tent and fired a shot that hit Deputy Frank Dalton in the chest. Deputy James Cole was near the tent when Dave Smith fired and shot Smith to death. Friends of Dave Smith, Lee Dixon, and William Towerly, then opened fire on Deputy James Cole wounding him. Deputy Cole was able to make his escape, believing Deputy Frank Dalton was dead. Deputy Frank Dalton, however, was still alive, and engaged the outlaws in a short gun battle. As Deputy Frank Dalton lay helpless on the ground, William Towerly ran over to him and shot him two more times in the head with his rifle even as Deputy Dalton pleaded with him not to shoot him.

One of Dave Smith's cohorts was wounded, and a woman who was in the camp was killed during the crossfire. Deputy Frank Dalton was dead by the time Deputy James Cole returned with a posse.  

Deputy Frank Dalton was survived by his wife Nancy and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas.

OLEM – 5N-1-16  NLEOM – 3E10

Updated November 20, 2023

Tom Dancer - City Marshal

City of Maud

On Saturday afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., February 10, 1906, City Marshal Tom Dancer was called into the blacksmith shop at Maud by blacksmith Addison “Ad” Chambers. Ad Chambers asked City Marshal Tom Dancer if he had called one of Chambers’ relatives, his brother-in-law Lester Brock, a vile name. When City Marshal Tom Dancer stated he had and meant it, Ad Chambers whipped out a revolver and fired four times, two of the shots struck City Marshal Dancer in the stomach. City Marshal Tom Dancer though laying on the ground was able to return two shots, one of which struck Ad Chambers in the neck, killing him instantly.

Tom Dancer was not charged with killing Ad Chambers as it was ruled to be self-defense at his preliminary hearing.

Several newspaper articles of the day listed the blacksmith as Vic Chambers and stated that Marshal Tom Dancer died of his wounds however articles days later stated City Marshal Tom Dancer was still alive and may fully recover from his wounds. Tom Dancer went on to serve as a Pottawatomie County Deputy Sheriff in 1907.

There is no record found of Tom Dancer’s death.

OLEM – 4N-3-6    

Updated October 25, 2023

Ross Munger Darrow -  Captain
Tulsa County Highway Patrol August 29, 1929

On the afternoon of Thursday, August 29, 1929, Tulsa County Highway Patrolman Abraham “Link” Bowline, 39, and his partner, Captain Ross Darrow, 42, attempted to stop a yellow Chevrolet sedan that was fleeing the scene of a traffic accident.

Patrolman Bowline had jumped on the running board of the fleeing vehicle which soon pulled into Newblock Park on the Sand Springs road with Patrolman Ross Darrow following close behind in their patrol vehicle. Captain Ross Darrow pulled the patrol car in front of the yellow Chevrolet.

The occupants of the fleeing Chevrolet were escaped bank robber Dick Gregg and two members of his gang. As the two cars came to a stop, Patrolman Bowline started getting Dick Gregg out of the driver’s seat at gun point when Gregg pulled a .45 caliber pistol and shot Patrolman “Link” Bowline in the heart killing him.

Captain Ross Darrow then exchanged shots with the gang members during which he and Dick Gregg were both shot and killed.

Captain Ross Darrow left behind his wife Myrtle and two children Lee 9, and Myrtle 11 and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM - 8S-5-15  NLEOM – 10W22

Updated August 29, 2023

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Jason Edward “Ed” Daugherty - Undersheriff

McClain County Sheriff’s Office  July 18, 1925

Jason Edward Daugherty was born December 17, 1874, at Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas to Jason and Mariah Antoinette (Cravens) Daugherty. Jason E. Daugherty married Annie Pearl Barefoot on November 16, 1902, at Wynnewood, Indian Territory.

The morning of Saturday, May 9, 1925, Purcell City Marshal M. L. Thomas attempted to arrest Lester Rains who was “running amuck” on the streets of Purcell. McClain County Sheriff Johnnie Ratliff, his Undersheriff Jason Daugherty, 47, and Deputy William Tucker went to assist with the arrest. During the struggle Lester Rains stabbed Undersheriff Jason Daugherty and was able to shoot Sheriff Ratliff twice with his own gun. Deputy William Tucker then shot Laster Rains five times.

Sheriff Johnnie Ratliff died later that evening.

Lester Rains died the next day.

Undersheriff Jason Daugherty was recovering from his stab wound when on July 18, just two months later, when he collapsed and died instantly from a blood clot from the stab wound as he was entering a Purcell store.

Jason “Ed” Daugherty was survived by his wife Annie who was pregnant with a son, Edward Cravens born September 28, 1925, plus two other sons and seven daughters.

Jason “Ed” Daugherty is buried in Blanchard Cemetery, Blanchard, McClain County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-3  NLEOM – 43W27

Updated January 10, 2024

Holmes Davidson - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  July 23, 1914  

Just after noon on Thursday, July 23, 1914, Deputy U.S. Marshal “Ed” Plank, 47, Deputy U.S. Marshal Holmes Davidson, 52, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Ike Wilkinson went to the home of William Baber, at 823 West Fifth in Tulsa.  The marshals had a search warrant for the house to look for illegal liquor. William Baber had a long record of liquor violations and was currently waiting to start a two-year prison term for conviction of bootlegging. Baber had previously been the Chief of Police at Tulsa but had been ousted from that position and had then taken up bootlegging as a means of making a living.

When the deputies arrived at the Baber home, Deputy Marshal Ike Wilkinson headed to the back of the house, while deputies “Ed” Plank and Holmes Davidson went to the front door and knocked.  Mrs. Baber answered the door, opening the inner door, keeping the screen door shut.  Deputy Marshal Davidson stated they were going to search the house at which time Mrs. Baber denied them entrance. William Baber then came to the door, again denying the deputies entrance.  Deputy Marshal Holmes Davidson started to draw his gun, at which time William Baber grabbed a double-barreled shotgun and fired one barrel into Deputy Marshal Holmes Davidson’s neck and shoulder. William Barber then turned toward Deputy Marshal “Ed” Plank and fired the other barrel into Plank’s chest. Deputy Marshal Davidson turned and started walking toward the street when he collapsed and died.  Deputy Marshal Plank staggered a couple of steps and then fell to the ground. William Barber then reloaded and fired at a retreating Deputy Marshal Ike Wilkinson but missed him.

William Baber then called the police and confessed to killing both Deputy Marshal Davidson and Deputy Marshal Plank.  Tulsa Police would later say that Deputy Marshal Holmes Davidson’s gun was in his hand when he was found but it had not been fired. William Barber was arrested and in 1917 the case finally came to trial and a jury found William Baber guilty of two counts of manslaughter and the court sentenced him to four years in prison.

Holmes Davidson was a widower survived by his adult son Elbert and is buried in Bristow Cemetery, Bristow, Creek County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 5N-5-9 (Homer Davison)  NLEOM – 10E12

Updated January 10, 2024

Hugh Blaine Davis - Captain

Tulsa County Highway Patrol June 21, 1929

On Thursday afternoon, June 20, 1929, Captain Hugh Davis, 45, was in route to Sapulpa on official business when an eastbound bus swerved left of center to avoid a car that started to pull onto the highway in front of it. The bus struck Captain Hugh Davis’ westbound car. Captain Hugh Davis died the next day, June 21 at a Tulsa hospital. The bus driver was charged with manslaughter in the death of Captain Hugh Blaine.

Captain Hugh Davis was survived by his wife Anna, and adult son, Hugh S. and daughter, Glenalh and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-3-6  NLEOM – 19E23

Updated January 10, 2024

John T. Davis - Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  August 1, 1895

John T. Davis was a Cherokee Indian. He had been administered the Oath of Office as a Deputy U.S. Marshal on June 2, 1893, and readministered the oath on July 1, 1895, only a month before his death.

Deputy Marshal John Davis had been searching for Sam Butler, who was wanted for killing a store clerk during a robbery on March 28, 1895, in Braggs, nine miles east of Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory.

On Thursday evening, August 1, 1895, between 8 and 9 p.m. Deputy Marshal John Davis planned to sneak up on the house where Sam Butler was believed to be staying with his mother about five miles southeast of Claremore on Island Ford on the Verdigris River. As Deputy Marshal John Davis approached the area of the house on horseback it was dark and Deputy Davis did not see Sam Butler laying under an apple tree. Sam Butler could see Deputy Davis approaching, grabbed his rifle and shot Deputy Marshal John Davis in the abdomen. Deputy Marshal Davis fell off his horse but was able to shoot and instantly kill Sam Butler. Deputy Marshal John Davis died about an hour later.

The burial site of John T. Davis is unknown.

OLEM – 5N-3-13  NLEOM – 2W16

Updated January 10, 2024

Kyle Jeffrey Davis – Corporal

Washington County Sheriff’s Office March 25, 2021

Seventeen suspects had been arrested as part of a large multiagency narcotics investigation and were being booked into the Washington County jail on Thursday, March 25, 2021. One of the male suspects, Athine Henderson, while being booked into the jail, began fighting with officers including jail supervisor, Corporal Kyle Davis, 36. After the officers were able to get control of Athine Henderson, Corporal Davis suffered a heart attack. Corporal Kyle Davis was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead an hour later.

Kyle Davis had served with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for thirteen years. Kyle Davis started with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 and was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in 2010.

Kyle Davis was survived by his wife Kristin and their two young children, Seth, 7, and Pearl, 6.

Corporal Kyle Davis is buried in the Dewey Cemetery, Washington County, Oklahoma.

In November, Athine Henderson was charged with First Degree Manslaughter in the death of Corporal Kyle Davis.

OLEM – 12N-3-1  NLEOM – 43E32

Updated January 10, 2024

James Riley  Day - Staff Sergeant

U. S. Air Force Security Police Department

Tinker Air Force Base May 8, 1999

On Monday evening, May 3, 1999, an “F-5” tornado left a wide path of destruction many miles long across central Oklahoma. The northwest corner of Tinker Air Force Base, in Oklahoma City sustained heavy damage including the chain link fence being ripped away.  

S/Sgt James Day was patrolling the damaged area of the base the early morning hours of Saturday, May 8th in a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle traveling about thirty-five miles per hour when he topped a hill and swerved to avoid a large metal trash bin being used in the cleanup. S/Sgt. James Day’s vehicle clipped the trash bin and overturned on him causing head and chest trauma. S/Sgt. Day died at the scene.

Sergeant James Day had just re-married on April 23rd and was survived by his wife Melissa, two sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter.

James Day is buried in Fort Riley Post Cemetery, Fort Riley, Geary County, Kansas.

OLEM – 4S-2-5  NLEOM – 5W22

Updated January 10, 2024

Larry Joe Dean - Officer

Clinton Police Department  August 12, 1969

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 1969, Officer Larry Dean became involved in a high-speed pursuit with a vehicle through Clinton. The pursuit ended at 715 East Fourth Street where the driver jumped out and ran inside the house.

Backup Officer Gilbert Harrelson arrived and with Officer Larry Dean they proceeded to the residence. Henry Lee Evans, 22, allowed the officers in the house. There they confronted the suspected driver, Kenneth Evans, 17, and their mother Bertha Evans, 49.

When the officers attempted to arrest Kenneth Evans, he resisted, and a fight broke out between the two officers and the Evans family members. Officer Gilbert Harrelson was forced out of the residence and before he could get back in, he heard gunshots fired from inside the residence. When other backup officers were able to get back in the house, they found Officer Larry Dean and Kenneth Evans both dead from gunshot wounds.

Officer Larry Dean was survived by his wife, Julie, who gave birth to a son five months after Officer Larry Dean’s death.

Larry Dean is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Mangum, Greer County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-19  NLEOM – 51W14

Updated August 12, 2023

Dale Ellis DeBerry - Sergeant

Norman Police Department  December 1, 1998

Sergeant Dale DeBerry, 41, was participating in an annual physical training exercise at the Norman Police Department Firearms Range about 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 1998, when he collapsed. Other Norman officers at the scene administered CPR until medical assistance arrived.  Sergeant Dale DeBerry was transported to Norman Reginal Hospital by ambulance and was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m. The State Medical Examiner’s office attributed the cause of death to a heart attack.

Sergeant Dale DeBerry was a fourteen-year veteran of the Norman Police Department and left behind his wife, Tonya and two young children ages two and eight.

Dale DeBerry is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4S-2-1  NLEOM – 48W21

Updated November 28, 2023

Nicholas Glenn Dees - Trooper

Oklahoma Highway Patrol  January 31, 2015

About 10 p.m. the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2015, Trooper Nicholas Dees, 30. and Trooper Keith Burch, 27, were out of their separate patrol units investigating a traffic accident involving a tractor–trailer rig that had rolled over near mile marker 195 of the west bound lanes of I-40 east of Shawnee. The accident was just east of the Pottawatomie County line in Seminole County. It was at this same time that a west bound vehicle, driven by Steven W. Clark, went around the parked Highway Patrol units with their lights flashing and struck both Troopers. Trooper Nicholas Dees was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Keith Burch was transported to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City in serious condition. The driver of the tractor-trailer was also injured by the Clark vehicle and was taken to a Shawnee hospital, treated, and released. Steven Clark was transported to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was treated and released. Charges of First-Degree Manslaughter were filed against Steven Clark, and he was arrested Friday, February 6th at his home in Cushing.

Nicholas Dees had served as a Police Officer with the Idabel Police Department before becoming an Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Trooper in 2013.

Trooper Nicholas Dees was survived by his wife Brandi and two young daughters Claire and Piper. Trooper Nicholas Dees’ father Bruce was a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Trooper.

–Nicholas Dees is buried in Denison Cemetery, Idabel, McCurtain County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10N-1-1  NLEOM – 36E29

Updated January18, 2024

Peter L. DeMaster - Special Agent

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

Peter DeMaster had been an agent for the Defense Investigative Service for eleven years when he was killed in the bombing of the Alfred P, Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City at 9:02 a.m. the morning of Wednesday, April 19, 1995.

Peter DeMaster first came to Oklahoma as an AWACS instructor at Tinker Air Force Base.

Agent Peter DeMaster was survived by his wife of thirteen years Kay Barry-DeMaster, daughter Kristin, 21, and stepson Brian Berry.

Peter DeMaster is buried in Resthaven Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-3-18  NLEOM – – –

Updated February 22, 2024

John McChesney Dennis - Deputy Sheriff

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office  November 1, 1913

On Saturday, November 1, 1913, a posse of Seminole County officers, including Deputy John Dennis, proceeded to a farm a little over four miles south of Seminole to arrest John Cudjo, who was wanted for the murder of a McIntosh County man a year earlier. The deputies found a man setting on the front porch of the farmhouse. When Deputy John Dennis approached the man to learn his identity the man shot him in the hip. Both major arteries in Deputy John Dennis’ leg were severed and Deputy Dennis, 42, quickly bled to death. Despite a gun battle with the other officers, the man, John Cudjo escaped.

Three days later, on November 4th, John Cudjo was involved in another shootout with officers in a cornfield near Holdenville and wounded two deputies before being wounded himself and arrested.

About 8 p.m. that night, a mob of about one hundred and fifty-men broke John Cudjo out of the jail in Seminole. John Cudjo was summarily hanged from a telephone pole in front of the county courthouse. Before John Cudjo could be cut down, the mob had fired more than one hundred bullet rounds into his body.

Deputy John M. Dennis left behind a wife, and eight children, three daughters and five sons and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Wewoka, Seminole County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-1-13  NLEOM –12W24

Updated October 30, 2023

Kenneth Lee Denton – Correctional Officer

Granite State Reformatory

Oklahoma Department of Corrections August 3, 1989

Correctional Officer Kenneth Denton, 50, was a nineteen-year veteran at the State Reformatory in Granite. On Thursday, August 3, 1989, Officer Kenneth Denton was transporting five inmates from a work detail back to the reformatory in a Department of Corrections van about six miles west of Granite east bound on Highway 9. Officer Kenneth Denton suffered a heart attack, causing him to lose control of the van, hit a bridge abutment and the van turned over. Officer Kenneth Denton was pinned in the van for twenty minutes and died at the scene. The five inmates received minor injuries and were unable to escape from the back of the caged van to help Officer Denton.

Correctional Officer Kenneth Denton was survived by his wife Laura “Georgette” as well as daughters Sandra and Molly and is buried in the Granite City Cemetery, Granite, Greer County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9N-3-2  NLEOM – 52E12

Updated February 22, 2024

Charles Lee "Matt" Dillon - Deputy Sheriff

Comanche County Sheriff’s Office  August 13, 1987

Charles “Matt” Dillon had joined the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office in early February 1987 and had been the transport officer since hiring on. Charles Dillion was previously an investigator for the Comanche County District Attorney’s office and a counselor with the Comanche County Juvenile Bureau.  

On Thursday, August 13, 1987, Deputy Sheriff Charles Dillon, 55, was driving to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to pick up two juvenile prisoners. About 1:45 p.m. he was westbound on Highway 82 about forty miles east of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Deputy Dillion’s car began sliding on the rain-slick pavement and crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming propane truck. Deputy Sheriff Charles Dillon’s vehicle rolled over a twenty-foot embankment, and he was killed. Deputy Sheriff Charles Dillon was pinned inside his car for two hours before his body could be removed. The propane truck did not explode.

Deputy Sheriff Charles Dillion is buried in the Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-19  NLEOM – 47W6

Updated August 13, 2023

L. P. Dixon - Possee, Deputy U.S. Marshal

U. S. Marshal Service July 20, 1907

The morning of Friday, July 19, 1907, Deputy U. S. Marshal John Cordell deputized a posse in Wewoka to search for four men, wanted for armed robbery, who killed Deputy U. S. Marshal and Sasakwa City Marshal John Morrison the day before.

The wanted men were brothers, John and Ned Cudjo, John Street and Joseph Harkins.  One of the deputized volunteers was thirty-nine-year-old L. P. Dixon, a collector for the Oklahoma State Bank of Shawnee, who was in Wewoka on business.

About 10 a.m. that morning Posse L. P. Dixon was guarding a road near the Cudjo’s home when two men rode up to him. Posse L. P. Dixon ordered them to halt and, when they continued by, he opened fire on them.

Ned Cudjo was wounded in one leg before both men turned in their saddles and opened fire on Posse L. P. Dixon. Posse Dixon was struck in the left shoulder with a rifle bullet that ranged downward through his chest. Posse L. P. Dixon was found lying in the road by other posse members who captured Ned Cudjo nearby. Posse L. P. Dixon died four hours later that Friday afternoon. The other three wanted men were arrested the next day.

L. P. Dixon was survived by his wife and four children and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 10S-1-9  NLEOM – 36W12

Updated February 22, 2024

Robert Alexander Donnelly - Officer

Tulsa Police Department February 26, 1922

Robert A. Donnelly was born December 12, 1893, at McKean, Erie County, Pennsylvania to Alexander Scott and Elva Jane (Hooker) Donnelly.

Officer Robert Donnelly, 26, was a member of the Tulsa Police Department’s Bicycle Squad on Saturday, February 25, 1922. About 11 p.m., Officer Robert Donnelly and his partner Officer L. K. Granger, stopped a car with five young men from Skiatook in it at North Main and Marshall Street. The two officers intended to check the car for illegal liquor.

As the fifth young man got out of the car, he shot Officer Robert Donnelly in the abdomen once with a .45 caliber automatic pistol. The shooter, Norris Crabtree, 17, fled on foot while his four companions stayed where they were. Officer Granger could not fire at Norris Crabtree because of the many bystanders in the way. Officer Robert Donnelly died the next day February 26th.

Robert Donnelly is buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Norris Crabtree was soon arrested, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison.

OLEM – 8S-2-2  NLEOM – 33W4

Updated February 20, 2024

George Mozart Doolittle - Deputy Sheriff

Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office, Texas  January 8, 1879

On Wednesday, January 8, 1879, Deputy George Doolittle was about twenty-nine years of age and was in the area of Lexington, I.T. to arrest Bluford “Blu” Cox for the 1871 murder of Thomas Gardner in Williamson County, Texas. Bluford Cox had been arrested on the murder charge in 1871 but left Texas after his family and friends posted bond for him. Deputy George Doolittle was shot to death by Bluford Cox when Deputy Doolittle attempted to arrest him. It is unknown if Bluford Cox was ever arrested and tried for killing Deputy George Doolittle.

George Doolittle was single and had been in law enforcement for five years, serving as a Texas Ranger before becoming a Lampasas County Deputy Sheriff.

George Doolittle is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave near Lexington, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4N-3-7  NLEOM – 34W26

Updated January 6, 2024

James Doss - Constable

El Reno   March 27, 1895

On Wednesday, March 20, 1895, Constable James Doss went into Sweitzer’s Saloon in El Reno where he saw Eugene Hays. Constable Doss had arrested Eugene Hays the day before for cattle theft. The two men began talking and walking toward the rear of the saloon together. Soon two gun shots were heard and Constable James Doss was found collapsed with gunshot wounds to his right leg, face and neck.  Eugene Hays surrendered to the sheriff, admitted shooting Constable Doss and placed in jail in Guthrie. Eugene Hays apparently shot Constable James Doss to prevent Doss from testifying against him at his trial for cattle theft. Constable James Doss died on Wednesday, March 27, 1895, from his wounds.

James Doss is buried in the El Reno Cemetery, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 4N-3-10  NLEOM –

Updated February 22, 2024

Robert Craig Douglas - Sergeant

Oklahoma City Police Department  September 28, 2008

About 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2003, Sgt. Robert Douglas was west bound on his police motorcycle in the outside lane of Memorial Road approaching North MacArthur alongside a pickup on his left. As Sergeant Robert Douglas and the pickup approached the intersection the signal light turned green, and they both proceeded into the intersection. A south bound car on MacArthur had stopped for the red light, then started into the intersection. Sergeant Robert Douglas’ police motorcycle collided with the car and Douglas was thrown from his motorcycle into the path of the west bound pickup which struck him. Robert Douglas, an eighteen-year veteran of the police department, was transported to OU Medical Center with head and internal injuries. Sergeant Robert Douglas went into a coma shortly after arriving at the hospital and remained in a coma for over five years until the night of Sunday, September 28, 2008, when he died at the age of 44.

Sergeant Robert Douglas was survived by his wife Alycia and their young son Robert Craig "Bobby" Douglas II. Bobby Douglas was only fifteen months old when his father was injured and was six years old when his father died.

Sergeant Robert Douglas is buried in Arlington Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Midwest City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 9S-1-13  NLEOM – 40E26

Updated September 22, 2023

Jonathan Paul Dragus - Sergeant

Oklahoma City Police Department  October 20, 2005 

Just before 3 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2005, Sergeant Jonathan Dragus, 32, became involved in a high-speed pursuit of a couple on a reported stolen Suzuki motorcycle near N.W. 3rd and Meridian. The pursuit continued northward through Oklahoma City and ended up going east bound on the Northwest Expressway from Villa. As Sergeant Dragus approached N. Pennsylvania a pickup truck pulled out in front of his east bound patrol car. Sergeant Dragus swerved to avoid the pickup, lost control of his police car and crashed into a light pole, sign and finally a tree east of N. Pennsylvania. Sergeant Jonathan Dragus was pinned in his patrol car and suffered severe head injuries. After being pried from his patrol car Sergeant Dragus was transported to OU Medical Center where he died from his injuries about 11:15 a.m. that morning.

Sergeant Jonathan Dragus had been with the police department for ten years. He was survived by his wife Kelly, who was also an Oklahoma City Police Officer, his 8-year-old daughter Ashlyn and 5-month-old son Kaden.

Sergeant Jonathan Dragus is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

The stolen motorcycle was located shortly after the crash near N.W. 50th and N. Classen. A sixteen-year-old female passenger on the cycle, Chelsea Freeman, was soon located in the area. The driver of the motorcycle Kyle Wayne Grider, 22, fled but turned himself in to police later that night. Kyle Grider was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated eluding a police officer. He was sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison.

OLEM – 4S-3-20  NLEOM – 47W25

Updated October 18, 2023

E.L. Drake – Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal’s Service

On Monday, May 25, 1892, Deputy Marshal E. L. Drake was looking for two men wanted for horse stealing. Deputy Marshal Drake located the men, William Miller, and William Hostetter, on the Deep Fork Creek near Sapulpa. When Deputy Marshal Drake told the two men they were under arrest, both men drew their guns and begin firing at Deputy Marshal Drake. Deputy Marshal Drake’s horse was killed, and he was wounded in the side and one thigh. Deputy Marshal Drake was able to kill both men, shooting William Miller from a distance of two hundred yards after Deputy Marshal Drake had been wounded.

Some newspaper articles of the time indicated that Deputy Drake died but the National Archives and the Fort Smith U.S. Marshals index indicate that E. L. Drake was re-administered his Deputy U.S. Marshal oath on July 23, 1894, over two years after the shootout.

O.L.E.M. – 5N-3-16

Updated February 22, 2024

Herman H. Drover - Bertillon Officer

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

Oklahoma Department of Corrections January 19, 1914

Bertillon Officer Herman Drover was one of seven people killed during a prison escape about 4:20 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 1914, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary (OSP) in McAlester.

Three escaping convicts, Tom Lane, Chiney Reed and Charles Kuntz became involved in a gun battle with Deputy Warden David Oates near his office just as Bertillon Officer Herman H. Drover, 49, was coming out of his office and Drover was killed by gunfire from convict Tom Lane.

Deputy Warden David Oates, 44, ran down the hall for more guns and ammunition. The convicts then burst into Oates’ office and confronted stenographer Mary Foster, Day Sergeant Fred C. Godfrey, Parole Officer Frank Rice, and attorney John R. Thomas. The convicts ordered everyone to raise their hands. The elderly attorney John Thomas moved too slow for them so convict Tom Lane fatally shot him.

Day Sergeant Fred Godfrey, 38, then attacked convict Tom Lane, who then shot Day Sergeant Fred Godfrey in the head, killing him instantly.

The convicts then took Miss Foster and Parole Officer Frank Rice as protection and hostages and moved back into the hallway where Deputy Warden David Oates met them with a shotgun. Oates ordered convict Tom Lane to drop his gun but instead Lane shot and killed Deputy Warden Oates.

The group then moved outside and got into a buggy. They started across the prison farm field. R. J. Richie, keeper of the prison’s bloodhounds, pursued the group, caught up to them and was able to shoot and kill the three escaping convicts.

Herman Drover was survived by his wife Hattie E. (Calonkey) and two sons, Walter Herman, 22, and Carl Leon, 19, and is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park, McAlester, Pittsburgh County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 8S-1-7  NLEOM – 35E16

Updated January 16, 2024

Charles N. Dugger – Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  (Not Line of Dutuy)

Charles N. Dugger was born December 14, 1851, in Mississippi to Jesse P. and Phebe Adaline (Alford) Dugger.

Charles Dugger had been a Deputy U.S. Marshal for several years when reports of his death in Greer County (then in Texas) were made on August 31, 1890. It appears Dugger was only slightly wounded in the neck by a shot from a black man named Alexander who was later released due to lack of evidence.

Then on Juen 21, 1896, Deputy Marshal Charles Dugger and his Posse Joe Boyle were reported to have been shot and killed in the Osage Nation by whiskey peddlers the day before.

A few days later a letter was received from Deputy Marshal Dugger that he was very much alive in Caney, Kansas and would be home in Pawnee, Indian Territory in a few days. Posse Joe Boyle was also very much alive.

Charles Dugger married Rosa Lee Dawson on April 4, 1901, and they had one child, Jess Nicholas Dugger born in 1904.

It appears Charles Dugger died in Osage County, Oklahoma on November 19, 1911, at the age of 59, from other than line of duty causes.

Charles Dugger and Joe Boyle’s names were mistakenly engraved on the Oklahoma Peace Officers Memorial in 1969.

OLEM – 3S-1-7

Updated June 22, 2022

Laurence Othel “Jack” Dunaway – Merchant Policeman

Miami Police Department  June 12, 1934

Laurence O. Dunaway was born May 15, 1901, in Louisburg, Dallas County, Missouri to Robert Boyd and Sarah Margaret  (Hale) Dunaway. Laurence married Velma Seamster on April 16, 1923, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Laurence and Velma had three children. The oldest Ina Virgina was born in 1925 and died at the age of 3 in 1928.

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, June 12, 1934, Miami officers Laurance Dunaway, I. W. Ellis and S. J. Johnson responded to a report of three suspicious men hanging around the Northeast Oklahoma Freight Depot on Main Street near the railroad tracks. The officers found the men setting in a Model A Ford. As the three officers approached the car a gun battle broke out. Officer Laurence Dunaway, 33, was shot with a .41 caliber bullet in the left leg, severing a main artery.

One of the suspects, Frank Shinn, 21, escaped for a short time while another, Leroy Dennison, 19, was killed at the scene and another wounded. The wounded suspect, Jess Howard, 25, an escaped murderer from Missouri and Officer Laurence Dunaway both died a few minutes after arriving at the local hospital.  

Officer Laurence Dunaway was survived by his wife Velma and two young sons, John Boyd, 7, and David Lee, 5.

Laurence Dunaway had only been a Miami Police Officer for six months when he was killed and is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-6  NLEOM – 10W24

Updated February 23, 2024

Dustin Shawn Duncan, Deputy Sheriff

Latimer County Sheriff’s Office February 4, 2008

Just before 6 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2008, 28-year-old Deputy Sheriff Dustin Duncan was driving east on State Highway 270 near Wister in Le Flore County when his patrol car went left of center and struck a pickup driven by 29-year-old Brannon Oden of Cedarville, Arkansas.  Deputy Dustin Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene and was pinned in his patrol car for about two hours. Brannon Oden was transported to a hospital, treated, and released that day. Deputy Duncan had just completed a twelve-hour shift and was driving to his home in Wister when the accident occurred. Deputy Dustin Duncan had only been with the Latimer County Sheriff’s Office three months having joined the previous October but had been a law enforcement officer for seven years prior serving with the Wister Police Department and the Le Flore County Sheriff’s Office prior to becoming a Latimer County Deputy.

Deputy Dustin Duncan was engaged to be married when he died.

Dustin Duncan is buried in Greenhill Cemetery, Cameron, Le Flore County, Oklahoma.

In May 2009, the State Highway 112 bridge crossing the Poteau River in Le Flore County was named the “Deputy Sheriff Dustin Duncan Memorial Bridge.”

OLEM – 9S-1-6  NLEOM – 18E26

Updated January 24, 2024

General Dunlap – Deputy Sheriff

McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office

On Saturday, June 7, 1908, Eufaula Deputy Constable F. M. Wood was killed during a county seat war between residents of Eufaula and Checotah. One of the men involved in the county seat war on the Checotah side was forty-two-year-old McIntosh County Clerk, Ed Julian.

The next evening, Sunday, June 8, 1908, Julian was in his room on the third floor of the Foley Hotel in Eufaula. About 8 p.m. General Dunlap, 35, went to Julian’s hotel room. General Dunlap was a former Deputy U.S. Marshal and currently held a commission as a Deputy Sheriff for McIntosh County. Before starting upstairs General Dunlap said to witnesses “I’m here to get the god*** son-of-a-b***!”. Dunlap went to Julian’s room and soon two gun shots were heard. General Dunlap was found lying dead in the hallway across from Julian’s room with gunshots to his head and back. Julian was still in his room and surrendered to authorities.

Newspaper accounts of the shooting indicate the dispute between General Dunlap and Ed Julian was of a personal nature and had nothing to do with the county seat dispute or that General Dunlap was acting in any official law enforcement capacity.

OLEM – 3S-2-2

June 22, 2022

Jess Fulton Dunn Sr. - Warden

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

Oklahoma Department of Corrections August 10, 1941

About 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, 1941, four prisoners armed with homemade knives attempted to breakout of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary (OSP) in McAlester. The prisoners were Roy McGee, 37, Bill Anderson, 36, Claude Beaver, 39, all convicted armed robbers and Hiram Prather, 33, who was serving a life sentence for murder.

About the same time that morning Warden Jess Dunn, 49, was planning a new communication system and was touring the prison with J. H. Fentriss, an electrical engineer, R.W. Murray, a contractor, and his ten-year-old son. The prisoners took Warden Jess Dunn and J. H. Fentriss hostage and told R. W. Murray and his young son to leave.

The prisoners then marched their two hostages into the prison yard, using them as shields. The east gate tower guards threw down their weapons and opened the gate when the lives of the two hostages were threatened. Warden Jess Dunn had already been stabbed once at this point. The prisoners, now armed with guns, forced their hostages out the gate and into a car. Claude Beaver was driving with the hostages beside him in the front seat and the other three prisoners in the back seat holding the hostages at gunpoint.

The Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office had been advised of the prison break. Deputies Bill Alexander and William A. “Tab” Ford, 54, former prison guards, quickly used their car as a roadblock three blocks north of the prison. As the car containing the prisoners and their two hostages came to a stop at the roadblock, the prisoners ordered Warden Jess Dunn to order the deputies to let them pass, which the warden did.  Deputy Bill Alexander told the warden he could pass but the other men would not be allowed to leave. One prisoner then shot Deputy William Ford in the head with a rifle. Another prisoner then shot Warden Jess Dunn twice in the back of the head.  Deputy Bill Alexander returned fire. When the shooting was over Claude Beaver, Roy McGee and Warden Jess Dunn were dead at the scene. Deputy William Ford died a few hours later and convict Bill Anderson died two days later.

Hiram Prather was the only prisoner to survive his wounds and died in Oklahoma’s electric chair July 14, 1943.  J. H. Fentriss was found in the floorboard of the car uninjured.

Warden Jess Dunn was survived by his wife Pearl and two adult sons and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 7N-2-14  NLEOM – 17W11

Updated August 10, 2023

Morris T. Dunn - Constable

Precinct 7, Fannin County, Texas  May 26, 1888

Morris Dunn was born February 8, 1850, in Meriweather County, Georgia to William C. and Anna Dunn. In 1871 Morris Dunn married Margaret A. (last name unknown).

In late May 1888 Constable Morris Dunn, 38, and a four-man posse trailed a gang of robbers north into the Indian Territory. The night of Saturday, May 26, 1888, the Texas posse located the gang, consisting of brothers Dick, Jim and Joe Dyer and another man, Thomas Hughes, alias Thomas Williams, in a cabin. When the posse called for the gang to surrender a fierce gunfight broke out. Constable Morris Dunn was fatally wounded but was able to return five shots before he fell dead.

Constable Morris Dunn was survived by his wife Margaret and three sons, Whitt W., 17, Charles B., 12, and Morris Edgar, 6.

Constable Dunn is buried in Woodman of the World Cemetery, Ravenna, Fannin County, Texas.

OLEM – 10N-1-12  NLEOM – 34W23

Updated February 23, 2024

Lowery Douglas "Doiug" Durington - Investigator

Healdton Police Department May 27, 1985

Lowery D. Durington was born April 6, 1947, at Tishomingo, Johnston County, Oklahoma to Bob F. and Mollie Opal (Williams) Durington.

Lowery Durington had served as a Tishomingo Polce Officer, a Johnston County Deputy Sheriff, and the Undersheriff of Johnston County before becoming a Healdton Police Officer.

Shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday, May 27, 1985, Investigator Lowery Durington, became involved in a high-speed pursuit with a motorcycle on Main Street in Healdton. The chase proceeded south on Highway 76 and a county road to just outside the city limits of Healdton where Officer Lowery Durington’s 1978 Chrysler police unit collided broadside with a west bound 1978 Ford pickup truck. Officer Lowery Durington, 38, and eleven-year-old Alan Addington, a passenger in the pickup, were dead on arrival at the Healdton Hospital. Young Alan Addington’s parents were airlifted to Oklahoma City hospitals in critical condition and survived their injuries.  

Investigator Lowery Durington left behind his wife, Georgia, two sons, and two daughters.

Lowery Durington is buried in Tishomingo City Cemetery, Tishomingo, Johnston County, Oklahoma.

OLEM – 2N-2-10  NLEOM – 51E1

Updated February 22, 2024

Perry DuVal - Posse, Deputy U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshal Service  November 2, 1873

Perry Duval worked for Deputy U.S. Marshal Willard Ayers as a Posse for several years.

In October 1873 Deputy Marshal Willard Ayers and his Pose Perry Duval were working with Deputy U.S. Marshal James Wilkerson and his posse in a swing through the Indian Territory serving arrest warrants and federal subpoenas.

On Sunday, November 2, 1873, the two deputy marshals and their posses were escorting four prisoners from Indian Territory to the Federal Court at Fort Smith. One of the prisoners was John Billee (or Billy), a Creek Indian of ferocious temper.

That night the group camped in a deserted cabin about a mile northwest of the Creek Agency at Muskogee. Deputy Willard Ayers bedded down with three prisoners chained to him, including John Billee at the end of the chain. Posse Perry DuVal slept next to John Billee. Deputy James Wilkerson and his posse slept at the other end of the room with the remaining prisoner.

During the night John Billee was able to get his handcuffs off, took Posse Perry DuVal’s gun and shot him in the head. John Billee then shot Deputy Marshal Willard Ayers, the bullet going through one hand and ripping the nipple from his right chest. John Billee then shot Deputy James Wilkerson in the kidneys as Deputy Willard Ayers began struggling with Billee. Deputy Wilkerson’s posse then shot John Billee, in the head and side. Help soon arrived from the Creek Agency, and the group was taken to the post hospital for treatment. Posse Perry Duval was dead, but Willard Ayers, James Wilkerson and John Billee survived their wounds.

The burial site of Posse Perry Duval is unknown.

John Billee was taken to Fort Smith where he was tried for murder in front of Judge Isaac C. Parker on December 23, 1873, convicted, and sentenced to death. On April 3, 1874, John Billee was shackled and dragged, kicking, and screaming, to the Fort Smith gallows and hanged.

OLEM – 5N-2-21 (Duvall)  NLEOM – 10E13

Updated October 30, 2023

Horace H. "Bill" Dyer - Sheriff

Cotton County Sheriff’s Office  October 30, 1958

Horace H. Dyer was born near Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma on February 5, 1913. Horace married Billie Ann Whetstone in Cotton County, Oklahoma on December 28, 1937. Horace Dyer was twice elected Sheriff of Cotton County, the first time in 1954. In July of 1958 he was defeated for re-election for a third term as Sheriff in a run-off.

On Thursday, October 30, 1958, Sheriff Dyer was investigating an apparent suicide near Temple. Chester Monroe had apparently shot himself in the head behind the right ear with a pump action .22 caliber rifle.

Someone at the scene expressed some skepticism that a man could shoot himself that way. Sheriff Horace Dyer pumped the shells out of the rifle, looked down the barrel to make sure it was clear, then closed the breech and snapped the trigger several times to be sure the rifle was not loaded. Sheriff Horace Dyer then held the rifle barrel up behind his right ear like he contended the suicide victim had and pulled the trigger. The rifle fired and Sheriff Dyer fell to the ground. Sheriff Dyer was transported to a Wichita Falls, Texas hospital and underwent three hours of surgery but died about 8 p.m. that Thursday night.

Sheriff Horace Dyer was survived by his wife Billie and two daughters.

Horace Dyer is buried in Walters Cemetery, Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma.

Horace Dyer’s wife Billie was appointed to serve the remainder of his unexpired term as Cotton County Sheriff and appears to have been the first woman Sheriff in Oklahoma.

OLEM – 1N-1-15  NLEOM –

Updated February 23, 2024