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Thomas A. Radford - City Marshal
City of Enid
Thomas A. Radford was elected City Marshal of Enid in 1905. Toward the end of that year, it was told by the Chairman of the Police Committee to the City Council that Radford was the best City Marshal Enid ever had. Thomas Radford had a strict adherence to the laws and ordinances and with that had made a few enemies. John Cannon was one of them. Cannon had told several people including the Mayor and Police Judge that he was going to kill City Marshal Radford. Radford closed a rooming house with a reputation of a “house of ill fame” that John Cannon and his wife owned. John Cannon had previously worked as a Jailer and fell in love and married a local prostitute who frequented the jail cells.
John Cannon was trying to rent some rooms above the Coney Island Saloon. When City Marshal Thomas Radford warned the owner not to rent the rooms to Cannon, he was furious.
In the late afternoon of Wednesday, January 10, 1906, City Marshal Thomas Radford walked into the Tony Faust Saloon at the corner of Broadway and Grand. It was a cold day and Radford walked over to the radiator to warm himself. The back door opened, and John Cannon entered the bar. Cannon walked completely through the bar without speaking to anyone. Cannon approached City Marshal Radford and said, “Bad day, isn’t it?” John Cannon then pushed a .38 caliber revolver against City Marshal Radford’s left chest and fired. The bullet passed close to his heart, through both lungs, and lodged in the right side, near his back.
The city marshal gasped for breath and turned to run. He had no chance to draw his weapon. As City Marshal Radford turned, John Cannon fired a second time, this time from behind. The gun was almost against Radford’s body again, and the bullet entering near the waistline passed cleared through his body. City Marshal Radford continued to run through the front door. As he was running, John Cannon shot Radford a third time with the bullet entering his head on the left side between his eye and his ear. City Marshal Thomas Radford fell to the ground.
John Cannon went back inside the saloon and called the Sheriff. Cannon was placed in the county jail but fearing an outbreak of public indignation over the shooting, he was transferred to the Grant County Jail in Pond Creek.
City Marshal Thomas Radford was still alive and was taken to Doctor Baker’s office. Several physicians examined Radford’s wounds and agreed that nothing could be done for the City Marshal. City Marshal Radford never regained consciousness after the last bullet hit him and died approximately thirty minutes later.
John Cannon was convicted of the city marshal’s murder and sentenced to twenty-fiver years in prison.
City Marshal Thomas Radford, 45, was survived by his wife Sallie and seven children and is buried in Enid Cemetery, Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 9S-2-11 NLEOM – 39W5
November 17, 2021
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Bruce Felder Rainey - Chief of Police
Weatherford Police Department
On the evening of Monday, June 23, 1941, Chief Bruce Rainey had gone home and changed into other clothes so he could assist and supervise the painting of lines on the streets of the city of Weatherford. At 9:30 p.m. his car was found abandoned about a mile west of the city on Highway 66. The keys were missing; however, a shotgun and police whistle were found inside. Chief Bruce Rainey was nowhere to be found.
A massive search effort began. It was about noon on July 3rd that Chief Bruce Rainey’s decomposing body was found in a rock crevice two miles south of Weatherford. An autopsy report indicated blunt force trauma on the left side of his head causing a fractured skull, and three bullet wounds to the head which apparently occurred after he had been thrown in the rock crevice. Chief Rainey’s billfold was still on his body, but missing were his keys, gun, and watch.
Following three months of intensive investigative work by Sheriff Everett Stambaugh, other Custer County Officers and the State Highway Patrol’s division of investigation, the break in the case came during a routine police arrest on June 29th. A Chickasha man was charged with burglary and illegal possession of a pistol when a finger print expert happened to see the pistol and remarked it was the same make and model as the one that killed Chief Rainey. Tests proved the pistol was in fact the same weapon used to murder Chief Bruce Rainey.
John Calvin Butler, 24, admitted during questioning that he had been present during Chief Rainey’s abduction and murder, but tried to say he had not shot the Police Chief and tried to implicate another person. Since the other person was able to establish a definite alibi, John Butler was convicted for Chief Bruce Rainey’s murder on October 1, 1941. John Butler was sentenced to life in prison but was paroled in the spring of 1973.
Bruce Rainey was survived by his wife, Viola, and three children, Hazel, David and
Milton.
Bruce Rainey is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Weatherford, Custer County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-3-3 NLEOM – 33W10
June 22, 2021
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Mayra Ramírez-Barreto - Agent
Puerto Rico Department of Justice, Puerto Rico
Agent Mayra Ramírez-Barreto, 52, and Correctional Officer Eliezer Colón-Claussells, of the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, were killed in an automobile crash near Stillwater, while in route to the Cimarron Prison Facility, in Cushing, to extradite several prisoners from the facility. They were driving southbound on Highway 177, near 68th Street, when another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line and struck their van head-on shortly after 5:00 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013. Agent Ramírez-Barreto, who was driving, and the other driver were trapped inside the vehicles for several hours and both died at the scene. Officer Colón-Claussells and the other two corrections officers in the van were transported to Stillwater Medical Center where Officer Colón-Claussell died. Agent Ramírez-Barreto had served with the Puerto Rico Department of Justice over thirty years and was assigned to the Extradition Unit.
Mayra Ramirez-Barreto is buried in La Santa Cruz Municipal Cemetery in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
OLEM – 9S-3-11 NLEOM – 59E28
November 17, 2021
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John Robert Randolph III – Captain
Ringling Police Department September 25, 2023
John R. Randolph III was born November 24, 1963, in Ardmore, Oklahoma to John R. Randolph II and Janet Randolph. John Randolph III received his secondary education at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. After graduating high school, John Randolph III served in the U.S. Army.
In September 1994 John married Angie Whitener.
John Randolph started his law enforcement career in 1993 working for the Healdton and Lone Grove Police Departments. John Randolph then worked for the Carter County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Ardmore Police Department in 1997. John Randolph served twenty-two years with the Ardmore Police Department, retiring in 2019. John Randolph ran for Sheriff of Carter County in 2020.
In January 2022 John Randolph was hired as a Reserve Officer for the Ringling Police Department serving as a Captain. In June 2023 Captain John Randolph became the School Resource Officer (SRO) for Ringling Public Schools.
On Friday September 22, 2023, at approximately 8 p.m. during a Ringling High School varsity football game, Captain Randolph was escorting a teacher who was carrying the money from the front admission gate to the concession stand when Captain Randolph tripped on wood debris, falling forward onto a wood pile causing internal injuries. Captain Randolph was first transported to a local hospital then ultimately airlifted to Medical City Hospital in Denton, Texas. After several surgeries Captain Randolph went into septic shock and died from his injuries on Monday, September 25, 2023, at approximately 7:20 p.m.
Besides his parents, John R. Randolph III was survived by his wife Angie, his son John R. Randolph IV, and his wife Carlee.
The earthly remains of John R. Randolph III were cremated.
OLEM – NLEOM –
Updated October 15, 2023
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Sam Houston Randolph – Sheriff
Love County Sheriff’s Office
About 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 1934, Sheriff Sam Randolph, and Deputy Sheriff Lovell Green went to Thackerville in connection with Sheriff Randolph’s current campaign for re-election. Deputy Sheriff Green was putting up campaign signs outside of Pinkston’s Store while Sheriff Randolph went inside. Sheriff Sam Randolph had left his gun in the car and was unarmed. Constable John Smith, who over the years had developed some bad feelings toward his former partner Sam Randolph, came along a few minutes later and went inside Pinkston’s Store. Inside, the two officers exchanged words and Sheriff Sam Randolph was seen to laugh at Constable John Smith, apparently not taking whatever Smith said seriously. John Smith started to walk away, then returned to Sheriff Randolph and told Randolph he was serious. Sheriff Randolph then slapped John Smith in the face. Constable John Smith drew his gun and shot Sheriff Sam Randolph through the heart. Deputy Sheriff Lovell Green rushed inside but was disarmed at gunpoint by Constable John Smith who then left the scene.
Sheriff Sam Randolph, 51, died before Deputy Sheriff Lovell Green was able to transport him to an Ardmore hospital.
Sam Randolph was survived by his wife Jessie and seven children.
Constable Smith later surrendered himself to Ardmore officers. He was charged with and convicted of Sheriff Sam Randolph’s murder.
Sam Randolph is buried in the Simon Cemetery, Burney Township, Love County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-1-5 NLEOM – 37W26
May 25, 2021
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John Eddington "Johnnie" Ratliff - Sheriff
McClain County Sheriffs Office
Saturday morning about 11 a.m. May 9, 1925, the City Marshal of Purcell, M. L. Thomas, was attempting to arrest Lester Rains, who was described as a maniac with super strength. Sheriff John Ratliff and Undersheriff Jason. E. Daugherty arrived to assist City Marshal Thomas. As Undersheriff Daugherty approached, Lester Rains drew a knife and stabbed Daugherty deep in the right shoulder. Sheriff John Ratliff struck Lester Rains with a club, but Rains forced it away from Sheriff Ratliff. Sheriff Ratliff then drew his gun and fired at Lester Rains but missed and Rains grabbed the gun away from the sheriff. Lester Rains then shot Sheriff John Ratliff twice, once in the right chest and in the groin.
Lester Rains was finally shot down with five gunshot wounds by Undersheriff Jason Daugherty and other deputies.
Sheriff John Ratliff was treated by a local doctor then soon sent by train to a hospital in Oklahoma City where he died at 8 p.m. that night.
Lester Rains died the next morning from his wounds.
Undersheriff Jason Daugherty’s stab wound was treated but he died two months later from the effects of his wound when a blood clot broke loose and went to his heart.
John Ratliff, who was serving his fourth term as Sheriff of McClain County, was survived by his second wife Myrtle and adult son James. James was the only living child of seven born to Ratliff and his first wife Martha, who died in 1903.
John Ratliff is buried in Dibble Cemetery, Dibble, McClain County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-2-21 (Ratcliff) NLEOM – 26E17
May 10, 2022
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Morris Robert Reagan - Patrolman
Oklahoma City Police Department
Officer Morris Reagan was walking a beat in the 1000 block of North Broadway about 1:00 a.m. the morning of Friday, February 25, 1910. Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot and seeing a black man running south on Broadway. Officer Morris Reagan was found lying on the sidewalk, shot once in the head, his gun still holstered. Responding officers, led by Assistant Chief of Police Joe Burnett, apprehended William Martin still running south on Broadway at 4th Street. William Martin was indicted for the slaying.
Officer Morris Reagan was survived by his wife Mammie, ten-year-old son Willie and twelve-month-old daughter Gwendoline.
Officer Morris Regan was the nephew of John R. Reagan, former U.S. Senator and Postmaster General of the Confederacy under Jefferson Davis.
Morris Reagan is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-1-21 NLEOM – 45W10
February 22, 2021
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George Wilson Reddick - City Marshal
City of Arnett
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 1932, 56-year-old Arnett City Marshal George Reddick arrested a man and woman for burglary of a service station. City Marshal Reddick had frisked the man but not the woman. While standing on the running board of the suspects’ Model A Ford, City Marshal Reddick directed the man to drive to the jail. Along the way the driver started speeding up. While City Marshal George Reddick was desperately trying to hold on, the female suspect shot him in the neck killing him instantly. The couple was later apprehended, tried, and convicted of City Marshal George Reddick’s murder. City Marshal George Reddick was survived by his wife Della and seven children and is buried in the Debolt Cemetery, Arnett, Ellis County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4S-2-17 NLEOM – 47W22
November 17, 2021
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Webster Reece - Deputy Sheriff
Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece formed a posse to try to capture the killers of a woman named Susie Sharp who was murdered near Braggs on September 2, 1932. Deputy Sheriff Reece had received information that the suspects were three men named Tom “Kye” Carlisle, Troy Love and Bud McClain. Tom Carlisle and Troy Love were convicted bank robbers.
Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece’s posse consisted of Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff Frank Edwards, Special Deputy Sheriff Tom Cook and Ray Crinklaw, an Oklahoma National Guardsman with previous law enforcement experience.
Early the morning of Saturday, September 17, 1932, Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece, and his posse set up a roadblock on a curve of a rural highway near Standing Rock on the Illinois River about twenty miles south of Tahlequah in hopes the suspects would travel that road. The police car was pulled across the highway to serve as the roadblock. Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece stood by the police car while the other posse members took a more concealed position. Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece wanted to be the first to see the suspects and told the posse he would signal them with a flashlight.
Shortly after 4 a.m. the suspects came driving around the curve at a speed higher than Deputy Reece had expected. As the driver rapidly braked the car, a tire blew on the car. As the car spun to a stop, Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece signaled the rest of the posse with his flashlight. One of the three men in the suspects’ car on the passenger’s side using the flashlight as an aiming point, fired once, fatally hitting Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece. The other officers began firing and Deputy Sheriff Frank Edwards was wounded less seriously by the return fire.
When the firing died down, the posse approached the car to find Bud McClain dead behind the steering wheel, but Tom Carlisle and Troy Love had escaped on foot. Another posse was formed and trapped the two fugitives the next day. Two more officers, Muskogee County Special Deputy Sheriff Andrew McGinnis and Rogers County Deputy Sheriff Hurt Flippin were killed during that gunfight as were both murder suspects.
Deputy Sheriff Webster Reece was survived by his wife Clara and is buried in Greenhill Cemetery, Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-4-5 NLEOM – 4E23
September 12, 2021
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Charles (Charlie) Thomas Reed - Deputy Sheriff
Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office
On Wednesday, December 27, 1922, a black man named Ben Wisener became involved in a domestic dispute. His wife’s younger sister had run away, and Ben Wisener suspected she was being hidden by a Creek Indian named Thomas Lewis. Ben Wisener went to Thomas Lewis’ home, became involved in an argument with him and pulled a gun on Lewis. Ben Wisener left Thomas Lewis’ home and went to the home of Joe Bennett (who he also suspected of hiding the girl) some nine miles south of Okemah. Ben Wisener notified Okfuskee County Deputy Sheriffs Charles Reed and Wash Proctor that he was going to Joe Bennett’s home. The two deputy sheriffs went to Joe Bennett’s place and found Ben Wisener sitting in his car nearby. As the deputy sheriffs approached the car and called for Wisener to surrender himself, Ben Wisener opened fire on the officers. Deputy Sheriff Charles Reed was shot fatally in the chest but managed as he was falling to shoot three times hitting Ben Wisener once in the face. Deputy Sheriff Wash Proctor also returned fire, hitting Wisener three more times killing him.
Newspaper reports indicated that Deputy Sheriff Charles Reed was a highly respected officer who had been a deputy sheriff since before statehood in 1907.
Charles Reed is buried in Wetumka Cemetery, Wetumka, Hughes County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-3-25 (Roy) NLEOM – 50W24
October 30, 2021
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Orin Henry “Ott” Reed - Chief of Police
McAlester Police Department
Chief Orin “Otto” Reed had become very familiar with a gangster by the name of Frank Nash. Chief Reed had assisted federal agents in identifying and arresting Frank Nash in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
On Saturday, June 17, 1933, Chief Orin Reed accompanied the federal agents in transporting Frank Nash to Kansas City, Missouri. When the federal agents got off the train they proceeded to get into cars for the rest of the trip. Chief Orin Reed got in the back seat with two federal agents when (allegedly) Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Adam Richetti and Vern Miller opened fire on the federal agents and Chief Orin Reed with machine guns in an apparent attempt to rescue Frank Nash.
Killed in the ambush were Frank Nash, Chief Orin Reed, Kansas City officers Frank E. Hermanson and Will J. Grooms, and FBI Agent Raymond J. Caffrey. One witness stated that the first shot fired hit Frank Nash in the back of the head. Frank Nash was seated in the front seat. Speculation has been offered that Chief Orin Reed fired that shot, either hitting Frank Nash accidentally while trying to fire at the machine gunners, or deliberately to make sure Frank Nash was not rescued. This incident became known as the “Kansas City Massacre”.
Five months later, Vern Miller’s body was found dumped outside of Detroit, Michigan, apparently a gangland execution.
Chief Orin Reed was survived by his wife Pheoby, son George and two daughters, Blanche and Buelah and is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Cemetery, McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.
Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot and killed by FBI agents in October of 1934.
Adam Richetti was arrested that same month, October 1934, and died October 7, 1938, in the gas chamber at the Missouri state penitentiary for his part in the “Kansas City Massacre”.
OLEM – 7N-1-12 NLEOM – 44E7 [Oto H]
June 20, 2023
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Robert Reed - Deputy U S Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
Robert Reed and Wiley Walls better known as “Sore Lip Willie” had been appointed Deputy U. S. Marshals for the limited duty of apprehending a black man named Coffey Barnes for stealing horses. Wiley Walls was a Creek Indian and very familiar with the Seminole Nation of the Indian Territory which probably played a part in his appointment The two lawmen located Coffey Barnes in the Seminole Nation and when Coffey Barnes resisted arrest, he was killed by the two deputy marshals in the shootout. Later, on Sunday, October 27, 1889, Deputy Marshals Robert Reed and Wiley Walls were setting on their horses talking to John Halsey at a gate near his home. As the three were talking, five men were observed riding toward the house. As the five men neared the gate, they drew their pistols and opened fire on Deputy Marshals Robert Reed and Wiley Walls, shooting them out of their saddles. The two deputy marshals were dead when they hit the ground. The five men then rode away without saying a word. John Halsey recognized the men as Cudge Barnett, Prince Hawkins, Ross Ryley, J. Brown, and a man he knew only as Lane. The five men were arrested by Creek Nation Lighthorse. It was decided that the five men would be tried in the Choctaw Nation Courts for the murder of the two deputy marshals. All five men were found guilty of murder and were sentenced to be executed at Okmulgee on Monday, April 20, 1891. On Friday, April 17, 1891, three days before their execution the five men were being guarded outside by Lighthorse officers. About 5 p.m. all the Lighthorse officers but one went to the stables to check on their horses. None of the prisoners were chained together as was required. Suddenly one of the prisoners took off running. The lone Lighthorse officer chased after him allowing the other prisoners to escape. A few of the men were captured but when they were returned to Okmulgee, they found that the Principal Chief had given them all a pardon. None of the men were ever punished for the murder of the two deputy marshals.
The burial site of Deputy Marshal Robert Reed is unknown.
OLEM – 4N-2-6 NLEOM –
August 15, 2021
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Donald F. Reis - Correctional Officer
El Reno Federal Reformatory
Donald F. Reis was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on August 22, 1916. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1960 Donald Reis joined the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer at the Ohio Federal Reformatory in Chillicothe. In 1966 Donald Reis transferred to the El Reno Federal Reformatory in El Reno, Oklahoma. In August of 1974 Donald Reis was promoted to Senior Correctional Officer Specialist.
At 8:00 p.m. the evening of Friday, February 28, 1975, Senior Officer Donald Reis opened the prison’s chapel for a black Nation of Islam service.
About 8:30 p.m. that evening Senior Correctional Officer Specialist Donald Reis was found dead in the reformatory’s chapel with numerous stab wounds to his neck. Three inmates who attended the service, Leonidas Fields, Edgar Hayes, and Aaron Kelly (who later changed his name to Harun Abdul-Wa Ghaffar) were charged and convicted of Correctional Officer Donald Reis’ murder and each sentenced to life in prison. The three men were then confined in three separate high security federal prison institutions.
Senior Correctional Officer Specialist Donald Reis was survived by his wife Stella and daughter Rebecca and is buried in El Reno Cemetery, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.
On January 28, 1986, the Staff Fitness Center at the El Reno Federal Reformatory was dedicated in the name of Senior Correctional Officer Specialist Donald F. Reis.
OLEM – 4S-2-22 NLEOM – 15E9
February 28, 2021
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John E. Reubin (Rubin) – Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
John E. Reubin was born in Alabama on March 12, 1885.
On Tuesday, August 11, 1936, Deputy Marshal John Reubin was involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of Southwest 69th Street and South Walker Avenue in Oklahoma City. Deputy Marshal Reubin’s car rolled over into a ditch and caught fire. The fire spread and burned forty acres of grass land before volunteers put it out.
Deputy Marshal John Reubin suffered head injuries, chest injuries, a broken right arm and was taken to Oklahoma City General Hospital for treatment. A passenger in Deputy Marshal Reubin’s car, Mrs. Helen Leader, was also admitted to the hospital for minor injuries and shock. Four passengers from Durant in the other vehicle received minor injuries.
Deputy Marshal John Reubin, 51, died from his injuries on Thursday, August 13th.
Deputy Marshal John Reubin, who lived in Oklahoma City, was survived by his wife, Ida, a daughter and three sons and is buried in Tishomingo City Cemetery, Tishomingo, Johnston County, Oklahoma.
The accounts of the accident do not advise whether Deputy Marshal John Reubin was on duty if the vehicle was his personal vehicle or a government vehicle or the reason Mrs. Leader was in the car with him. However, the circumstances appear to indicate Deputy Marshal Reubin’s death was not line of duty.
OLEM – 7N-1-25 (Rubin)
August 15, 2022
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Hugh Reynolds - Officer
Seminole Police Department
On the evening of Friday, October 23, 1936, a massive three car traffic accident occurred about one-mile northwest of Seminole on Highway 270. The accident happened when Joe Epperson of Tecumseh tried to pass a car driven by J. L. Purser, who was trying to turn left across the highway. While trying to pass Purser, the Epperson car struck another car belonging to R.B. James, Epperson and his wife were killed in the resulting crash, eleven other people were injured, and a crowd gathered while police were being summoned.
One of the first four responding officers on the scene was Hugh Reynolds. He, along with other officers, began caring for the injured, directing traffic around the accident scene and trying to disperse the gathering crowd. During these actions, one of the officers saw another vehicle approaching the accident site at a high rate of speed. When he saw that the speeding car was not going to be able to avoid the wrecked cars on the highway, he yelled at the other officers to get out of the way. Officer Hugh Reynolds had barely finished forcing a group of bystanders off the roadway when the oncoming vehicle hit him, crashed into the wreckage and pinned Officer Hugh Reynolds in between them. The force of the crash was so great that it took two wreckers more than two hours to separate the wrecked cars enough to remove officer Hugh Reynold’s body.
Officer Hugh Reynolds, 54, had been a deputy sheriff at Cromwell during the boom town days that had cost the life of Bill Tilghman. Following that service, he had been a Constable at Seminole for two years and had been an officer for the Seminole Police Department for the past four years.
Hugh Reynolds was survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma.
Wilbur Tucker, the driver of the other vehicle that killed Officer Hugh Reynolds, was determined to have been drunk at the time of the accident. Murder charges were filed against the 50-year-old carpenter the next day. A few days later, R.B. James died from his injuries, becoming the fourth fatality from the accident.
OLEM – 7N-1-17 NLEOM – 31E10
November 17, 2021
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William Thomas Reynolds - Officer
Chandler Police Department
At 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 1926, Officer William Reynolds had just turned a drunken prisoner over to the jailer at the county courthouse in Chandler when he suffered a fatal heart attack. His obituary stated that William Reynolds had served almost twenty years with the Chandler Police Department.
William Reynolds was born in Steeleville, Missouri on February 26, 1859. He moved to Oklahoma in 1901 and joined the Chandler Police before statehood. He turned sixty-seven the day before he died.
Officer William Reynolds was survived by his wife and five children and is buried in Oak Park Cemetery, Chandler, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4N-3-14 NLEOM –
November 17, 2021
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Donald Eugene Rhodes - Chief of Police
Quapaw Police Department
Just after 9 p.m. the evening of Saturday, October 28, 1995, Chief Donald Rhodes, 40, was assisting members of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) at an injury accident scene at the intersection of State Highways 10 and 37.
While Chief Rhodes was directing traffic around the accident scene, a vehicle came speeding over the hill. After almost colliding with the accident scene, the diver turned around and sped off west on Highway 10, pursued by Chief Donald Rhodes and Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper O’Neal. Catching the suspect after a short pursuit, Chief Donald Rhodes handcuffed the suspect and then fell to the ground, apparently having suffered a heart attack. Chief Rhoades was transported to a hospital in Miami but died at 1:20 a.m. the following morning, October 29th.
Donald Rhodes had only been Quapaw Chief of Police for five months. He had previously worked for the Wyandot Police department, Fairland Police Department, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
Donald Rhodes is buried in Bluejacket Cemetery, Bluejacket, Craig County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4S-2-3 NLEOM – 31W21
October 27, 2021
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Donald Roy (Donnie) Richardson - Chief of Police
Davenport Police Department
Donald Richardson was not only the Chief of Police but the only police officer in Davenport and Constable of District Six in Lincoln County which made him responsible for law enforcement in the wards of Davenport, South Keokuk, South Fox, and Chandler Township. Donald Richardson also ran a small garage to make ends meet.
On Tuesday morning, January 24, 1967 Chief Richardson had gotten off duty, went home and went to bed about 9 a.m. and was immediately called back out. The Chief and his family lived in a two-story house with the bedrooms upstairs. Chief Richardson picked up his uniform and gun belt with his revolver in the holster and went downstairs where he tossed his clothes and gun belt onto a wooden chair. The revolver accidentally discharged when it struck the wooden arm of the chair. The bullet hit Chief Richardson in the left side of his abdomen, traveling upward, hitting his spleen, lung, and intestines before lodging in his right shoulder. Chief Richardson was rushed to the Cushing Hospital and was operated on. Later that afternoon, following surgery, he started bleeding internally, the hospital decided they did not have enough blood on hand and was transporting him to a Tulsa hospital when he died in route to Tulsa about 6 p.m. that evening.
Chief Donald Richardson, 32, was survived by his wife, Norma Jean, and four children and is buried in Davenport Cemetery, Davenport, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-5-3 NLEOM –
January 24, 2021
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James E. (Jack) Richardson - Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
James E. “Jack” Richardson, his wife, child, and sister moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas from Texas to start a new life. In September 1885, James Richardson accepted an appointment as a Deputy U.S. Marshal offered him by U.S. Marshal John Carroll of the Western District of Arkansas. Deputy Marshal James Richardson, during the six months he served, made numerous trips into the Indian Territory, serving arrest warrants, subpoenas, and other federal process.
Deputy Marshal James Richardson and his posse returned to Fort Smith on March 15, 1886, with three prisoners, lodging them in the federal jail. John Vann, Robert Childers, both black men, and T.J. Ellis, a white man, were all charged with assault with intent to kill. Although these three men had been arrested and transported to Fort Smith peacefully, all had not gone well on the trip. Deputy Marshal James Richardson had arrested a man named William “Bill” Pigeon on a charge of murder and had taken him back to the camp the lawmen had set up near Pryor, in the Cherokee Nation. William Pigeon was accused of murdering Joseph Rogers in 1882 and had been a fugitive ever since. After leaving his prisoner, William Pigeon, in the care of his posse, Deputy Marshal Richardson left camp to make another arrest in the same area. Upon returning to camp, Deputy Marshal Richardson discovered that William Pigeon had escaped and was again at large. The decision was made to transport the three prisoners they had in custody to Fort Smith and then return to Pryor to track down William Pigeon.
Deputy Marshal James Richardson spent the next eight days with his family, leaving Fort Smith on March 23rd for the trip back into Indian Territory. On Monday, March 29, 1886, Deputy Marshal Richardson, and his posse located William Pigeon ten miles east of Pryor, at Choteau Station. This time William Pigeon resisted arrest and a gunfight ensued, resulting in the shooting death of Deputy U.S. Marshal James Richardson. Richardson’s posse emptied his pistol at William Pigeon, all apparently missing their target as the outlaw made good his escape.
Deputy Marshal James Richardson’s body was transported back to Fort Smith and buried in the Oak Cemetery, Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas.
A five-hundred-dollar reward was offered for the arrest of William Pigeon. It appears lawmen made several attempts to locate and arrest William Pigeon, but no record can be found of his capture.
OLEM – 5N-1-8 NLEOM – 58W2
December 14, 2021
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Dave Ridge - Sheriff
Saline District, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory
Jess Sunday was just completing a term as Sheriff of Saline District and his half-brother, Dave Ridge, had been elected to take his place. About noon on Sunday, September 20, 1897, Sheriff-Elect Dave Ridge was on his way to the Baggett store to pick up some items his wife had sent him for. Dave Ridge ran into some friends and had several drinks with them. Realizing that it was late, about 6:00 p.m., and he still needed to get the items from the store, Dave Ridge headed over to the Baggett store which was closed. Desperate to get the items for his wife, he began banging on the door to the store. Tom Baggett and his family lived above the store. Tom Baggett leaned out of the window above the store and told Dave Ridge to leave because he was drunk. Tom Baggett had closed the store early that day due to the rowdy drinking of several men and a warning there might be trouble later. As Sheriff-elect Dave Ridge and store owner Tom Baggett argued over the closed store, a shot came from across the street hitting Tom Baggett and killing him. Dave Ridge stayed around with a gathering crowd to help Mrs. Baggett and her four daughters.
About an hour later, two witnesses, one of whom was Jesse Sunday’s son, Andy, and Dave Ridge met two men on a trail about two-hundred yards away from the shooting scene. The two men were Sampson Rogers and Wilson Towery. Sheriff-elect Dave Ridge confronted Sampson Rogers with the fact that he had seen him fire the shot that killed Tom Baggett. Sampson Rogers, enraged, then hit Dave Ridge over the head with a whiskey bottle. Andy Sunday then stepped out and got the men to leave his uncle alone. Dave Ridge died from his head injuries later that night.
Sheriff Jesse Sunday was then ten miles east of Saline guarding some prisoners when the killings occurred. Notified of the murders, he rode to Saline and began investigating. Sheriff Sunday deputized several men including Wilson Towery and Cooie Bolin, both of whom had witnessed the Tom Ridge murder. Sheriff Sunday and Cooie Bolin went to the nearby home of Jim Teehee to see if anyone there had witnessed anything. John Colvard and Martin Rowe were sitting on the porch, John Colvard with a rifle across his lap. Sheriff Sunday took the rifle away from Colvard without resistance, talked with the men and was told they knew nothing of the killings.
Deputy Cooie Bolin and Sheriff Sunday walked back to their horses when Martin Rowe opened fire on them hitting Sheriff Sunday. Sunday dropped Colvard’s confiscated rifle, Deputy Bolin picked it up and began firing at the fleeing Martin Rowe while the wounded Sheriff Sunday was trying to catch his horse.
Andy Sunday found his wounded father by a tree near the Teehee home the next morning. He took him to the Teehee home where Sheriff Jesse Sunday died that night.
Jesse Sunday was survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters.
Sheriff Dave Ridge was survived by his wife and four children. The burial site of Dave Ridge is unknown.
Sampson Rogers was indicted for the murder of Dave Ridge but was freed after witnesses refused to testify against him.
OLEM – 3S-1-2 NLEOM –
September 20, 2021
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Richard Oldham Riggs - Master Patrolman
Oklahoma City Police Department
Just before 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 1986, an armed robbery occurred at Tom’s Market, 1000 NE 36th Street in Oklahoma City. Just a few minutes later Master Patrolman Richard Riggs and his rookie partner, Ronnie Gravel, spotted a green van matching the description of the van used in the armed robbery, at a Phillips 66 service station on the SW corner of NE 36th Street and I-35. The green van was parked next to an outside pay phone and a black male was using the phone. Master Patrolman Richard Riggs got out of the patrol car and started approaching the man on the phone as he hung up the receiver. Patrolman Riggs ordered the man to come to him and to take his hands out of his coat pockets. Instead, the man, Ronald Keith Boyd, fired several shots at Patrolman Richard Riggs from the .38 caliber snub nose revolver still concealed in the pocket of his coat. Patrolman Riggs was hit twice but was able to return fire at Ronald Boyd. Officer Ronnie Gravel had gone to the other side of the van to see who the other three occupants of the van were. Ronald Boyd then fired at Officer Gravel as he came around from the back of the van. Officer Gravel fired several shots at Ronald Boyd as he ran northeast across the west service road of I-35. Patrolman Riggs was transported to a local hospital but died soon after arriving.
Ronald Keith Boyd was arrested at a southwest Oklahoma City residence the next afternoon after a nineteen-hour search and a standoff with police. Ronald Keith Boyd was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for the murder of Master Patrolman Richard Riggs. Ronald Keith Boyd was executed by lethal injection just after midnight on April 27, 2000.
Richard Riggs was survived by his wife of one year, Christine, a stepson, Nicholas, and a daughter, Angel.
Richard Riggs is buried in Wellston Cemetery, Wellston, Lincoln County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 2N-2-12 NLEOM – 47W17
December 14, 2021
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W.H. “Pat” Riley, Chief Sergeant
Oklahoma State Penitentiary
W. H. “Pat” Riley was hired as a state prison guard in 1930. In 1939 “Pat” Riley was promoted to Chief Sergeant to supervise all of the prison guards and was fourth in command of the state penitentiary at McAllister.
On Monday, December 13, 1943, prison inmate L.C. Smalley told Sergeant “Pat” Riley, 79, that he had been robbed of a watch and thirty dollars cash by two other prison inmates. Inmate Smalley told Sergeant Riley that the men who robbed him were Mose Johnson and Stanley Steen.
About 3:15 p.m., Sergeant “Pat” Riley located both robbery suspects in the prison boiler room where they worked. As Sergeant Riley questioned the inmates about the robbery, Mose Johnson hit Sergeant Riley over the head with a piece of pipe, and Stanley Steen stabbed Sergeant Riley in the face and back with a knife. Leaving the dying Sergeant on the floor, the two inmates then ran to the canteen where inmate L. C. Smalley worked behind the counter. When the two inmates ran in the canteen, other inmates in the canteen ran out before Mose Johnson killed L. C. Smalley with an ice pick. Other prison guards arrested the two inmates in the canteen but not in time to save inmate L. C. Smalley.
Sergeant W. H. “Pat” Riley was survived by his wife, a daughter and four sons and is buried in the Hinton Cemetery, Hinton, Caddo County, Oklahoma.
Inmate L. C. Smally, 57, was serving a forty-year sentence for robbery from Wewoka. Inmate
Inmate Mose Johnson, 28, from Stigler was serving his fourth prison term, this time for manslaughter from Haskell County.
Inmate Stanley Steen, 31, was serving his fifth prison term and this time also for manslaughter from Delaware County.
Both Mose Johnson and Staley Steen were charged and tried for both murders. Stanley Steen was given a death sentence for murdering Sergeant “Pat” Riley but committed suicide by slashing his wrist before his electric chair execution date.
Mose Johnson was given a life sentence for killing Sergeant “Pat” Riley and a death sentence for murdering inmate L. C. Smalley. Mose Johnson died in Oklahoma’s electric chair on November 1, 1946.
OLEM – 7N-2-19 NLEOM – 8W23
December 11, 2021
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David Matthew “Matt” Robbins - Patrolman
Idabel Police Department
Just before 9 p.m. the evening of Tuesday, June 28, 2011, Patrolman David Robbins, 40, was still in uniform on his Suzuki motorcycle headed to his home in Honey Grove, Texas, after getting off duty at the Idabel Police Department. Patrolman David Robbins was headed west on State Highway 37 about six miles west of Idabel when an east bound Nissan driven by Jimmy Eastman went left of center and struck Patrolman David Robbins. Though David Robbins was wearing a helmet he suffered internal and external trunk injuries and died at the scene.
Patrolman David Robbins was survived by his wife of ten years, Amy, two sons, Justin, and Marlow plus two daughters, Shelly Robbins-Barns and husband Craig, and Auttie. |
David and Amy Robbins were to move to Idabel the next week. David Robbins had served as a law enforcement officer at various agencies since 1995.
David Robbins is buried in McGraws Chapel Cemetery, Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas.
OLEM – 4N-3-18 NLEOM –
June 28, 2021
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Frank Robertson – Officer
Wewoka Police Department
Mr. O. K. Bivin’s notes from his research to add names to the Peace Officers Memorial (later named the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial) in the mid 1960’s indicates this officer was killed in 1926. Wewoka Police Department has no record of an officer Frank Robertson and there no contemporary account of his death. This is possibly a duplication of Seminole County Deputy Sheriff David Samuel Robertson killed December 11, 1929.
OLEM – 8S-2-8
November 7, 2021
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Clifford W. Roberts - Agent
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Clifford Roberts served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1951 he joined the Oklahoma City Police Department. Three years later he was promoted to Detective in the Narcotics Unit. In 1958 Clifford Roberts joined the State Narcotics Bureau then under the State Attorney General’s Office. A year later in 1959 Clifford Roberts joined the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
On Tuesday, March 14, 1967, OSBI Agent Clifford Roberts’ state car slammed into the side of a Rock Island train at about NW 5th and N Portland, west of the State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City. Agent Roberts’ southbound car struck the side of the second diesel locomotive pulling the California-bound passenger train. The front end of Agent Clifford Roberts’ car was ripped apart and agent Robert’s body was thrown beneath the moving train. Agent Clifford Roberts was on his way home for lunch when the accident occurred.
Agent Clifford Roberts was survived by his wife Lucille and son Jerry Lee and is buried in Resthaven Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-5-2 NLEOM – 52W16
January 8, 2022
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Michael Don Roberts – Reserve Deputy Sheriff
Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office
About 8 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2011, Reserve Deputy Sheriffs “Mike” Roberts, 45, and “Tim” Lowry were working as a team for the Warrant Section of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office when their unit topped a hill and collided with a tractor-trailer rig on State Highway 39 east of Asher, killing both deputy sheriffs.
Deputy Sheriff Michael Roberts was survived by his wife Reinee and five adult daughters Ashley, Cassie, Kashlynn, Kodie and Kate and is buried in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 9S-3-6 NLEOM – 3W28
Sept 29, 2021
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Samuel Elgen "Sam" Roberts, Posse - Deputy U. S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
Deputy U.S. Marshal E. J. Sapper had hired Sam Roberts as his posse. They had worked together for some time; both being thought of as efficient officers. One of Deputy Marshal E. J. Sapper’s duties was the suppression of illegal alcohol in the Territory.
At 11:30 a.m. on the morning of Friday, July 5, 1907, the officers approached the cider stand at the Knights of Pythias lodge picnic, operated by Eugene and Ben Titsworth. The Titsworth brothers were suspected of selling illegal liquor. Deputy Marshal E. J. Sapper and U.S. Interior Department Special Investigator W.E. “Pussyfoot” Johnson had previously raided the Titsworth home looking for illegal liquor. After telling the Titsworth brothers that he suspected their cider contained illegal liquor, Deputy U.S. Marshal Sapper walked into the cider stand. The Titsworths grabbed Deputy Marshal Sapper and they began scuffling. Posse Sam Roberts had walked in behind Deputy Marshal Sapper and as Posse Roberts approached Deputy Marshal Sapper to help him, Thomas Patton, also known as Jack Baldrige, Bill Williams, or Bill Johnson, drew a pistol and fired at Posse Sam Roberts. Sam Roberts was hit in the head by the first bullet, fell face down and died immediately.
Thomas Patton, or Jack Baldridge as he was better known, then turned his gun on Deputy Marshal E. J. Sapper and fired twice, the first shot missing Sapper, but the second hitting him above the left ear. As Deputy Marshal Sapper fell to the floor, Jack Baldridge fled the scene. Deputy Marshal Sapper survived his gunshot wound.
An intense manhunt was started with Deputy U.S. Marshals Grant Cowan and Will Ruble leading one posse and Deputy U.S. Marshal Bud Ledbetter leading a second.
Six days later, Deputy Marshal Bud Ledbetter and his posse came across Jack Baldridge and John Adkins near Whitefield. Both men were arrested. The lawmen found three guns on the men when they were searched. It was discovered that Jack Baldridge was really Thomas Patton. The murder trial of Thomas Patton, or Jack Baldridge, was held in May 1908, the jury returning a verdict of guilty of manslaughter. Thomas Patton was sentenced to serve a term in the Oklahoma State Prison.
The exact burial site of Posse Samuel Roberts is unknown but is an unmarked grave east of Warner right off State Highway 266.
OLEM – 5N-4-12 NLEOM – 5E2
July 9, 2022
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Vernie Melford Roberts - Reserve Deputy Sheriff
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
On Monday, July 19, 1999, Deputy Sheriff Vernie Roberts, 62, was transferring a 17-year-old male prisoner, Slint Kenneth Tate, to a Tulsa County facility. Slint Tate wore leg shackles but no handcuffs. Slint Tate was able to get his arm around the neck of Deputy Sheriff Vernie Robert’s wife, Betty Jean, a volunteer for the Delaware County Juvenile Division, who was riding with her husband in the front seat.
Deputy Sheriff Vernie Roberts stopped the car on the shoulder of U.S. 412 in Rogers County. Slint Tate forced Deputy Sheriff Roberts and his wife out of the vehicle and was able to obtain the deputy’s weapon then shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Vernie Roberts. Slint Tate then fled the scene in the deputy’s vehicle but was recaptured later in Mayes County after he abandoned the vehicle.
Vernie and Betty Roberts were to celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary in August.
Vernie Roberts was survived by his wife, two daughters and six grandchildren and is buried in Zena Cemetery, Jay, Delaware County, Oklahoma.
Slint Tate was convicted of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Vernie Roberts and sentenced to life in prison.
OLEM – 4S-2-6 NLEOM – 31E21
January 8, 2022
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William Warfield Roberts - Deputy Sheriff
Comanche County, Texas
On Monday evening, November 1, 1948, Deputy Sheriff William Roberts, 60, accompanied by his wife, Edna, was transporting a prisoner, James W. Duke, 25, from Fairbury, Nebraska back to Comanche County, Texas to face child desertion charges. At approximately 8:20 p.m. about five miles north of Perry, Oklahoma Deputy Sheriff William Roberts was driving south bound on U.S. Highway 77 during a light rain, when he lost control of the vehicle which left the roadway, overturned, and rolled into a telephone pole. Deputy Sheriff William Roberts was killed instantly of a skull fracture in the one-car accident.
Mrs. Edna Roberts and the prisoner James Duke suffered only minor injuries.
Besides his wife Edna Deputy Sheriff William Roberts was survived by two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Comanche, Comanche County, Texas.
OLEM – 4N-3-8 NLEOM – 2E22
November 1, 2021
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David Samuel “Sam” Robertson - Constable / Deputy Sheriff
Wolf Township / Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Seminole County Deputy Sheriff David “Sam” Robertson also served as the Constable for the small town of Wolf, two miles south of Bowlegs. In the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 11, 1929, Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson was raiding a gambling game in Wolf. Otis Lackey was acting as a lookout for the game but had left his post when Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson entered the game. Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson was standing near the game, amiably telling the players to present themselves in front of the judge the next day, when Otis Lackey returned and saw him. Otis Lackey drew a gun and shot Deputy Sheriff Robertson twice in the back. Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson died several hours later.
Seminole County Deputies John Poe and Jim Villines arrested Otis Lackey the next day. Otis Lackey was convicted of the murder of Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Sheriff “Sam” Robertson was survived by his third wife Cora and his eight children.
David “Sam” Robertson is buried in Wolf Cemetery, Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-4-7 NLEOM – 6E26
December 7, 2021
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Ralph Mackey Robinson - Special Detective
Rock Island Railroad
In the winter of 1926, railroad officers in Oklahoma City were having trouble with a gang of coal thieves. Detective Ralph Robinson started riding the outbound trains during the early morning hours in an attempt to catch the gang of thieves. About 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 1926, Detective Ralph Robinson was riding an outbound train when he saw a group of men throwing coal off of the train. Detective Robinson pursued the men off the train and the conductor last saw Detective Robinson with three or four black men lined up beside the tracks.
A short time later, Detective Ralph Robinson’s dead body was found in the snow-covered railroad yard. He had been shot three times, once in each leg and once just above the heart. One of his own guns, unfired, was in his overcoat pocket. Detective Robinson was known to carry two guns, but there was no sign of the second weapon. Eleven fired .32 caliber shells were found near the body. Detective Ralph Robinson was shot with a .32 caliber automatic pistol.
Oklahoma City Police and railroad officers began a massive investigation. One hundred and twelve black men were arrested and put in jail the first day. A few days later, John Scott, Charles H. Thornton and Willie D. Smith confessed and were charged with the murder of Detective Ralph Robinson.
Detective Ralph Robinson, 28, had been a Rock Island officer for one year. He was survived by his wife Curtis Nellie and one child.
Ralph Robinson is buried in Webb City Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri.
OLEM – 9N-1-9 NLEOM – 60W27
Janary 8, 2022
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William Edgar Robinson - Sheriff
Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office
On Sunday, November 15, 1908, Jimmy Grayson had filed a complaint against a black gunsmith named Newt Decker over an argument about a day’s catch of fish. Okmulgee Assistant Chief of Police Henry Klaber and two brothers, Ralph and Felix Chapman, who were deputized to assist Chief Klaber, went to Newt Decker’s house at Second and Creek Street with Jimmy Grayson. As the men approached the house, Newt Decker, an expert shot, ran out shooting with guns in both hands. Assistant Chief Klaber was shot in the throat and died soon after.
The Chapman brothers ran to Assistant Chief Henry Klaber’s aid, firing at Newt Decker with the fallen chief’s gun. Newt Decker shot and killed both of the Chapman brothers then ran back in his house.
Okmulgee Chief of Police Dick Farr rode up on his horse and tried to assist the fallen Assistant Chief Henry Klaber. Newt Decker shot Chief Farr in the right shoulder. Chief Dick Farr took a shot at Newt Decker with his left hand and felt he struck Decker because he saw him whirl around as he fired. Undaunted, Newt Decker fired again wounding Chief Farr again in his left arm.
Sheriff William Edgar Robinson, the first elected Sheriff of Okmulgee County, arrived on the scene and was soon also shot dead by Newt Decker.
Other officers responded and the gunfight lasted over an hour with over five hundred shots being fired. Two other officers were wounded in the shootout as well as three bystanders. The officers finally set the house next to Newt Decker’s on fire. The fire spread to Decker’s house. As Decker came to the door he was shot and fell back inside the house to burn to death.
Five men died: Newt Decker, Assistant Chief Henry Klaber, the two Chapman brothers Ralph and Felix, and Sheriff William Robinson. Chief Dick Farr and a deputy sheriff were wounded along with six bystanders.
William Edgar Robinson, the first Sheriff of Okmulgee County, was survived by his wife and two young children and is buried in Beggs Cemetery, Beggs, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 5N-5-11 NLEOM – 7E23
January 8, 2022
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James Robert Robison - Special Detective
Santa Fe Railroad
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 1986, Detective James Robison, 50, was north bound in the 800 block of South Santa Fe Street nearing a railroad crossing in Oklahoma City when he attempted to stop for an approaching train. Detective James Robison lost control of his 1984 Chevrolet patrol car due to the snow and slush on the roadway and slid on to the railroad track. Detective James Robinson’s patrol car was struck by the west bound Oklahoma, Kansas & Texas Railroad train knocking his patrol car approximately one hundred and two feet from the point of impact. Detective James Robison was pinned in his patrol car for about thirty minutes before being transported to Presbyterian Hospital where he died from his injuries at approximately 11:35 a.m.
Special Detective James Robison was survived by his wife Gloria, three sons, Dennis, Kenny and William “Kevin” and a daughter Denise and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 9S-3-13 NLEOM – 9W12
January 8, 2022
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Fletcher William Rodgers - Constable
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office
Fletcher Rodgers had been a Constable for the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office since 1917, working for the areas of the Frisco Township initially and later in the areas of Tom and America near the Arkansas-Oklahoma state lines.
On Friday night, December 28, 1934, Constable Rodgers had gone to the Crocker farm to trade a horse. Later that night he and Mr. Crocker went to assist young Crocker who got his truck stuck in the mud returning from a dance in Tom. As the men approached the stuck car, they were met by four men who were seeking revenge for Constable Rodgers diligent efforts in closing their liquor running operation. One of the men, Guy Dillahunty, put a gun in Constable Rodgers back and told him they were “going for a ride.” After walking a short distance Constable Fletcher Rodgers drew his gun and was shot in the back as he turned to open fire on Dillahunty whom he shot twice. Guy Dillahunty was taken away in a car by his friends.
Constable Fletcher Rodgers was able to give complete names of the men and details of the incident prior to being taken to the hospital. Constable Rodgers died of his wound at 11:05 p.m. the following Wednesday, January 2, 1935.
All four of the men were arrested and convicted of Constable Fletcher Rodgers’ murder.
Constable Fletcher Rodgers was survived by his wife Iva Mae and seven children.
Rodgers is buried in Haworth Cemetery, Haworth, McCurtain County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4S-2-24 NLEOM – 38E22
January 2, 2021
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Frank Rodriguez, Jr. – Sergeant
Midwest City Police Department
Frank Rodriguez, Jr. was born December 19, 1981, the youngest of three children born to Frank and Sylvia Rodriguez.
Frank Rodriguez graduated high school in 2000. In January of 2002 Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. During his seven years serving in the in the infantry Frank served multiple tours of duty in Iraq. Frank Rodriguez served in the Army for seven years. Following his service in the Army Frank Rodriguez began a career in law enforcement serving several communities including the Guymon Police Department before joining the Midwest City Police Department in December 2015. By September 2021 Frank Rodrigues had obtained the rank of Sergeant and was assigned as a School Resource Officer at Midwest City High School.
Sergeant Frank Rodriguez died late the evening of Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from complications of the Covid virus for which he had been hospitalized for several weeks.
Sergeant Frank Rodriguez was survived by his wife Paulet and three children, daughter Serina, and sons Frank III and Felix.
Frank Rodrigues is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Midwest City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4N-3-20 NLEOM – 34W34
April 19, 2023
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Andrew C. "Andy" Roff, Posseman - Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
Joe Henderson leased land in the Chickasaw Nation. On March 18, 1885, he found that two of his horses had been stolen and he believed he knew the thieves. He traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas to report the theft of the horses. Arrest warrants were issued for two brothers, Jim and Tom “Pink” Lee. The warrant was turned over to Deputy U. S. Marshal James H. Guy, who also was a Sergeant with the U.S. Indian Police.
A murder warrant had also been issued for a black man named Dallas Humby and Guy had information that Humby might also be at the Lee ranch. Dallas Humby was accused of killing his wife and had avoided apprehension earlier. Deputy Marshal James Guy was anxious to make the arrest.
Joe Henderson leased land in the Chickasaw Nation. On March 18, 1885, he found that two of his horses had been stolen and he believed he knew the thieves. He traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas to report the theft of the horses. Arrest warrants were issued for two brothers, Jim and Tom “Pink” Lee. The warrant was turned over to Deputy U. S. Marshal James H. Guy, who also was a Sergeant with the U.S. Indian Police.
A murder warrant had also been issued for a black man named Dallas Humby and Guy had information that Humby might also be at the Lee ranch. Dallas Humby was accused of killing his wife and had avoided apprehension earlier. Deputy Marshal James Guy was anxious to make the arrest.
On Friday, May 1, 1885, Deputy Marshal Guy gathered a posse of thirteen men, including William “Bill” Kirksey and brothers James L. “Jim” and Andrew C. “Andy” Roff. The posse proceeded to the Lee ranch near Dresden (now Gene Autry) a small-town northeast of Ardmore.
After dismounting, the officers surrounded the Lee home. Deputy U.S. Marshal Guy called out for the Lee’s to come out of the house to answer warrants. Someone inside the house asked who it was and for them to come to the front of the house where they could talk. Guy walked to the front of the house and stood by a tree.
The posse was immediately met by gunfire coming from within the house. Deputy Marshal James Guy was struck by two bullets and died during his fall to the ground. The posse members returned fire and a shootout ensued. Posse Andy Roff was struck by five bullets and Posse Jim Roff, was struck once. As the gunfight increased, Bill Kirksey fell from shotgun fire. All died within minutes and the remainder of the posse grabbed their horses and retreated.
The posse reported the killings to the Sheriff in Sherman, Texas who notified the U.S. Indian Police and the U.S. Marshal. A posse of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Indian Police and Sheriff’s deputies started for the Lee Ranch. The posse found only the house burned and the bodies of the four murdered officers
Not until September 7, 1885, when Heck Thomas, Jim Taylor and Jim Shattel were in the Gainesville, Texas area were the Lee brothers brought down. The Lee brothers were spotted trying to cut their way through a fence. The lawmen crept to within forty or fifty yards and called out to the Lees. Both Jim and Pink Lee started firing at the posse with rifles. The lawmen returned fire until both of the Lee brothers were dead.
The other men were later arrested and acquitted at their trials.
The burial site of Deputy Marshal James Guy is unknown. His three posse, including Jim Roff, are buried in Hibbit Cemetery, Sturgeon, Cooke County, Texas.
OLEM – 5N-1-13 NLEOM – 3E4
January 8, 2022
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James Leonard "Jim" Roff, Posseman - Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
Joe Henderson leased land in the Chickasaw Nation. On March 18, 1885, he found that two of his horses had been stolen and he believed he knew the thieves. He traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas to report the theft of the horses. Arrest warrants were issued for two brothers, Jim and Tom “Pink” Lee. The warrant was turned over to Deputy U. S. Marshal James H. Guy, who also was a Sergeant with the U.S. Indian Police.
A murder warrant had also been issued for a black man named Dallas Humby and Guy had information that Humby might also be at the Lee ranch. Dallas Humby was accused of killing his wife and had avoided apprehension earlier. Deputy Marshal James Guy was anxious to make the arrest.
On Friday, May 1, 1885, Deputy Marshal Guy gathered a posse of thirteen men, including William “Bill” Kirksey and brothers James L. “Jim” and Andrew C. “Andy” Roff. The posse proceeded to the Lee ranch near Dresden (now Gene Autry) a small-town northeast of Ardmore.
After dismounting, the officers surrounded the Lee home. Deputy U.S. Marshal Guy called out for the Lee’s to come out of the house to answer warrants. Someone inside the house asked who it was and for them to come to the front of the house where they could talk. Guy walked to the front of the house and stood by a tree.
The posse was immediately met by gunfire coming from within the house. Deputy Marshal James Guy was struck by two bullets and died during his fall to the ground. The posse members returned fire and a shootout ensued. Posse Andy Roff was struck by five bullets and Posse Jim Roff, was struck once. As the gunfight increased, Bill Kirksey fell from shotgun fire. All died within minutes and the remainder of the posse grabbed their horses and retreated.
The posse reported the killings to the Sheriff in Sherman, Texas who notified the U.S. Indian Police and the U.S. Marshal. A posse of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Indian Police and Sheriff’s deputies started for the Lee Ranch. The posse found only the house burned and the bodies of the four murdered officers
Not until September 7, 1885, when Heck Thomas, Jim Taylor and Jim Shattel were in the Gainesville, Texas area were the Lee brothers brought down. The Lee brothers were spotted trying to cut their way through a fence. The lawmen crept to within forty or fifty yards and called out to the Lees. Both Jim and Pink Lee started firing at the posse with rifles. The lawmen returned fire until both of the Lee brothers were dead.
The other men were later arrested and acquitted at their trials.
The burial site of Deputy Marshal James Guy is unknown. His three posse, including Jim Roff, are buried in Hibbit Cemetery, Sturgeon, Cooke County, Texas.
OLEM – 5N-1-21 NLEOM – 34W1
January 8, 2022
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Hugh Lois “Hughey” Rogers - Officer
Ada Police Department
About 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, 1926, Ada Police Officers Hugh Rogers and Luther Prince were leaving a filling station across the street from the Stockton Hotel. As the officers left, hotel proprietor J.E. “Dick” Weems came out of the hotel and called them across the street. As the officers walked across the street Weems stepped back inside the hotel. When Rogers and Prince entered the hotel, Weems began berating them for raiding his hotel the previous night and then stepped inside his room. The two officers left but were notified by a lady resident that Weems was armed. The officers decided to return and arrest Weems.
As Officer Hugh Rogers approached “Dick” Weems’ room, Weems jumped out of the door and shoved a .38 caliber pistol in Officer Rogers’ chest. Officer Luther Prince drew his gun and fired once at Weems missing him. Officer Hugh Rogers then drew his Colt .45 and he and Weems began struggling and trading shots. Eight shots were fired, four of them hitting “Dick” Weems and three hitting Officer Hugh Rogers. Officer Rogers died at the scene and J. E. “Dick” Weems died about two hours later.
Officer Hugh Rogers was survived by his wife Bessie and 14-year-old son Edward.
Hugh Rogers is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 8S-3-4 NLEOM – 14W26
November 4, 2021
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Isaac “Ike” Rogers – Former Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal Service
Isaac Rogers was a friend of Crawford Golsby. Crawford Goldsby was very well known as outlaw “Cherokee Bill.”
Isaac Rogers obtained a Deputy U.S. Marshal commission from Judge Isaac Parkers court at Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 4, 1892. His commission was renewed on June 1, 1893, and January 10, 1895.
On January 30, 1895, while still a Deputy U.S. Marshal Isaac Rogers tricked Crawford Golsby, by betraying his trust, and arrested Crawford Golsby for the reward on his head. This arrest led to Crawford Golsby “Cherokee Bill” being hanged for his crimes by Judge Isaac Parker at Fort Smith, Arkansas on Tuesday, March 17, 1896.
Clarence Goldsby, brother of Crawford, had a hatred for Deputy Marshal Isaac “Ike” Rogers for betraying his brother.
During the winter of early 1897, Hayden, Oklahoma was one of the distribution points for dispensing of federal money to the black freedmen in the area from the sale of the Cherokee Strip. This money was meant for the former slaves or relatives of former slaves of the Cherokees in the region. Now former Deputy U.S. Marshal Isaac “Ike” Rogers and Clarence Goldsby both had a share of that money coming to them and their paths crossed a few times that week in Hayden ending in arguments, shoving matches and threats. Before leaving for his home in Fort Gibson, Clarence Goldsby told Isaac Rogers that we would kill him if he ever saw him in Fort Gibson.
In April of that year Isaac Rogers sent word to Clarence Goldsby that he would be arriving on the morning train into Fort Gibson. As now former Deputy Marshal Isaac Rogers got off the train in Fort Gibson at 10 a.m. the morning of Monday, April 19, 1897, he was shaking hands with a man on the platform when Clarence Goldsby fired a shot from behind him. The first shot missed Isaac Rogers and hit a bystander. The next three shots hit Isaac Rogers, two in the head and one in the body. Clarence Goldsby escaped on foot amid a hail of gunfire from a rapidly assembled posse of citizens and deputy marshals. Clarence Goldsby was never apprehended for the murder of Isaac Rogers.
The burial site of Isaac “Ike” Rogers is unknown.
OLEM – 1N-2-27 NLEOM –
January 10, 2022
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Lawrence Leroy (Shorty) Rogers - Police Officer
Tulsa Police Department
On the night of Sunday, March 16, 1941, MK&T Railroad Police, Special Agent Winfield S. Wooten was pursuing two black men in his patrol car when the men crashed their vehicle at Lansing and Independence Street in Tulsa. Special Agent Wooten managed to arrest the two men with the help of two black Tulsa Police Officers. The officers asked Special Agent Wooten if he needed further assistance to which he declined. Special Agent Winfield Wooten did ask the officers if they would contact police headquarters and ask a Raiding Squad to be sent to his location. The Tulsa officers called police headquarters and then left to answer another call. Several Raiding Squad officers including Lawrence R. “Shorty” Rogers were dispatched. Witnesses stated they saw Special Agent Winfield Wooten arguing with one of the suspects after the black Tulsa officers left and before the Raiding Squad officers arrived. One of the suspects, Finis Benningfield, tried to walk away, and when Special Agent Wooten tried to stop him, Finis Benningfield managed to get Agent Wooten’s weapon and forced Special Agent Wooten into the patrol car. Finis Benningfield then shot Special Agent Winfield Wooten, emptying the weapon, and killing him.
When the Raiding Squad officers arrived, the driver pulled in front of Special Agent Wooten’s patrol car, Officer Lawrence Rogers got out and approached the special agent’s car from an angle that prevented him from seeing the dead agent’s body. Finis Benningfield, seated in the car, shot Officer Lawrence Rogers once in the head as Rogers approached, killing him almost instantly. Two other officers stepped from their car and shot Finis Benningfield six times, fatally wounding him.
The burial site of Tulsa Officer Lawrence Rogers is unknown.
OLEM – 7N-3-13 (L R) NLEOM – 39W8
March 16, 2021
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William G. Roland - City Marshal
City of Shidler
On Sunday evening, March 27, 1927, about 8:30 p.m. William Roland, City Marshal of Shidler, was seen falling from the running board of a moving Roadster vehicle on Main Street. The automobile then circled the corner, passed by City Marshal Roland’s body, and sped out of town. It was believed City Marshal William Roland was attempting to make an arrest of the driver when he either fell or was pushed from the speeding vehicle causing fatal injuries.
The burial site of City Marshal William Roland is unknown.
OLEM – 9N-3-14 NLEOM –
March 28, 2021
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Lewis Wayne Roller – Investigator
District 6 District Attorney’s Office
Lewis Roller was born December 12, 1964, in Chickasha to Jim and Mary Ann Roller. Lewis was raised in Chickasha and graduated from Chickasha High School in 1983.
Lewis Roller started his thirty-five-year law enforcement carrier as an Officer with the Chickasha Police Department on July 11, 1987. Lewis rose to the rank of Sergeant before his retirement from the Chickasha Police Department the end of August 2012. Lewis Roller continued his law enforcement career in October 2012 as an Investigator for the District Attorney’s office of District 6 which includes Caddo, Grady, Jefferson, and Stephens Counties.
During his duties as an Investigator Lewis Roller contracted the Covid virus and was hospitalized in Oklahoma City. Lewis Roller died of complications from the Covid virus on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
District Attorney’s Investigator Lewis Roller was survived by his wife Leslie, daughter Shelby and her husband Ryan Hightower, son Tyler and his wife Ashley, his mother Mary Ann and four grandchildren, Kaiden, Blayne, and Ashtyn Roller and Hollis Hightower.
The earthly remains of Investigator Lewis Roller were cremated.
OLEM – 9N-1-21 NLEOM – 43W34
April 19, 2023
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Jeffery Dean Rominger - Officer
Oklahoma City Police Department
About 3 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2000, Officer Jeffery Rominger, 42, started pursuing a Pontiac Firebird on S. May Avenue near I-40. The Firebird turned east off May Avenue on to the west bound exit ramp of I-40. Officer Rominger pursed the Firebird east in the west bound lanes of I-40. After about one mile, near Pennsylvania Avenue the east bound Firebird went around the left side of a semi-tractor truck and trailer which was west bound in the middle lane, clipped the front left corner of the semi-tractor truck, and hit the patrol unit of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Evans head-on. Trooper Matthew Evans, unaware of the pursuit, was west bound on I-40 in the inside lane starting to pass the semi-tractor truck, responding to another Trooper’s call for assistance. Jeffery Rominger, close behind the speeding Firebird, collided with the other two vehicles, which had burst into flames. Trooper Matthew Evans and the two people in the Firebird died at the scene. Officer Jeffery Rominger died shortly after arriving at University Hospital.
Officer Jeffery Rominger was survived by his young son James and is buried in Arlington Memorial Gardens, Midwest City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4S-2-13 NLEOM – 57W22
January 10, 2021
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Daniel Edward “Ed” Rorabaugh – Former Officer
Okmulgee Police Department
Though listed with a “C” for a County Deputy Sheriff on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial his obituary indicates he was a former police officer with no official law enforcement status at the time of his death. His obituary also states he came to Okmulgee in 1924 and had been an “Intermittent member of the police force for the past ten years.”
Daniel “Ed” Rorabaugh is listed in the Okmulgee City Directory of 1942 as a desk sergeant for the Okmulgee Police Department. Daniel “Ed” Rorabaugh died on October 14, 1945, in the Okmulgee City Hospital from apparent natural causes at the age of 68.
Daniel “Ed” Rorabaugh was survived by his wife, Estella, and is buried in Okmulgee Cemetery, Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-3-16 (Ed Rorabaugh)
January 10, 2022
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Wendell Ray Rowan - Chief of Police
Wright City
Late the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 1980, just before 10 p.m. Chief Wendell Rowan, 35, was called to assist Officer Kenneth Foshee, who was investigating a traffic accident. After Chief Wendell Rowan arrived on the scene but did not get out of his patrol car Officer Kenneth Foshee went to check on Chief Rowan and found his Chief slumped over the steering wheel. CPR was started as Chief Rowan was transported in his patrol car to meet an ambulance near Garvin. Chief Wendell Rowan was transferred to the ambulance but died shortly after arriving at the McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel just after 10 p.m.
Chief Wendell Rowan had a history of heart trouble including heart surgery.
Wendell Rowan had been Wright City Chief of Police five years and was survived by his son Mark.
Wendell Rowan is buried in Valliant Cemetery, Valliant, McCurtain County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 10N-1-7 NLEOM – 45W6
March 18, 2021
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Oswell Ovid “Joe” Rowden - Chief
Cushing Police Department
On July 30, 1968, Chief Oswell Rowden, 60, was transporting two unhand cuffed prisoners by car from Cushing to the Payne County Jail in Stillwater along with Payne County Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall.
Shortly after 3:00 p.m., approximately six miles east of Stillwater on Highway 51, one of the prisoners, Marvin R. Gibson, Jr., 19, attacked Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall, who was driving, wrenching the steering wheel sideways. The car crossed over the centerline hitting an oncoming car head-on. Both officers were killed. Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall was pinned by the steering wheel and Chief Oswell Rowden was thrown through the windshield. Both prisoners received minor injuries but did not escape. Driver of the other car survived his injuries.
Chief Oswell Rowden was survived by his wife Johnaphine and sons, John, 32 and Ronald, 28. His son John had served as an Oklahoma City Police Officer and was an agent with the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Atlanta, Georgia when his father was killed.
Oswell Rowden is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma.
Marvin Gibson was convicted of the murders of the two officers, sentenced to life in prison but was patrolled in the 1970’s.
In May 2009 State Highway 51 in Payne County between State Highway 108 and state highway 177 was named the “Sheriff Jerry Beall and Police Chief Joe Rowden Memorial Highway.”
OLEM – 7N-5-20 NLEOM – 45W17
June 22, 2021
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Steven Douglas Rozell – Detention Officer
Washita County Sheriff’s Office
Steven Rozell was raised in Sentinel graduating high school there. After high school Steven Rozell worked as a meat butcher and then worked at the dog food plant. Steven Rozell then worked at the Sayre Correctional Facility before going to work as a jailer for the Washita County Sheriff’s Office in 2015. Steven Rozell, 56, was working in the Washita County Jail when he contracted the Covid virus. Steven Rozell was diagnosed with Covid on August 9, 2021, hospitalized at the Great Plains Regional Hospital in Elk City, and died there from complications of the virus on August 29, 2021.
Steven Rozell was survived by his mother Kathy Rozell and brothers Kevin and Trevor and their families.
Steven Rozell is buried in the Sentinel Cemetery, Sentinel, Washita County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4N-1-20 NLEOM –
April 27, 2022
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Bobby Leon Rudisill - Police Officer
Ardmore Police Department
About 12:50 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 1960, a night watchman named Jim Redd reported a burglary in progress at the Sooner Foods Store at 1213 N. Washington in Ardmore after hearing noises and discovering that the telephone was not operating.
Upon arriving at the store, the responding officers, Bobby Rudisill and Robert Neasbitt, were directed to a power room and had to climb a flight of stairs to reach the wooden entrance door. Hearing what sounded like chiseling noises, the officers called out to the burglars to surrender. A barrage of shots came through the door hitting officer Bobby Rudisill. Officer Rudisill was able to return fire shooting twice as he fell to the floor and down the flight of stairs.
Officer Robert Neasbitt emptied his revolver into the door. When backup officers arrived, they also fired through the door. After the shooting had stopped the officers found Arnold Jernigan near death inside the power room. Arnold Jernigan was a convicted burglar and bank robber from Fort Worth, Texas and died later that morning.
Another man, John Milo Brown, had fled the scene but was arrested two hours later. Melvin Thomas Renfro and Horace Burt Mullins also fled the scene but turned themselves in two days later in Fort Worth, Texas.
Melvin Renfro was sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Bobby Rudisill was survived by his wife Betty Sue, a two-year-old son and two stepdaughters and is buried in Highland Cemetery, Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 7N-4-19 (Rudisell) NLEOM – 63W11
January 16, 2022
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James Hercules Rundell - City Marshal
City Of Mulhall
James Rundell, 32, had been City Marshal of Mulhall and township constable for three years when on Sunday evening, September 21, 1930, he stopped Paul Moring for speeding through Mulhall. When City Marshal Rundell ordered Paul Moring to turn his car around and return to town to post bond, Moring took off north on Highway 77 with City Marshal James Rundell in pursuit on his police motorcycle. The pursuit went twenty miles across Noble County to north of Perry before Paul Moring’s car made contact with City Marshal Rundell’s motorcycle causing the city marshal to crash, killing him. Paul Moring was reportedly swaying left on the road to keep City Marshal Rundell behind him when Rundell tried to come alongside the car. Paul Moring did not stop when the accident occurred. Paul Moring was arrested in Ponca City later that evening along with his mother and a friend who were with him when City Marshal James Rundell stopped Moring for speeding.
James Rundell was survived by his wife Tillie and three children and is buried in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.
Paul Moring received a one-year jail sentence for manslaughter in the death of City Marshal James Rundell.
OLEM – 9S-1-5 NLEOM – 53E25
January 16, 2022
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Running Eagle - Officer
Pawnee Tribal Police, O.T.
On Monday, June 29, 1891, two men were riding through the Pawnee Reservation in Oklahoma Territory when they saw a man sleeping in a location that appeared as though he was hiding. They rode into Pawnee and reported it to the authorities and Tribal Officer Running Eagle was sent to investigate. Officer Running Eagle found the man about fourteen miles south of Pawnee. As Officer Running Eagle approached the man, the tribal officer held out his hand to shake hands. The man grabbed the officer’s outstretched hand with his left hand, as he drew a gun with his right hand and fatally shot Officer Running Eagle. The suspect then escaped and was never identified.
The burial site of Officer Running Eagle is unknown.
OLEM – 10N-1-11 NLEOM –
June 28, 2021
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Charles Running Over Water - Officer
Ponca Tribal Police
On Sunday, October 18, 1908, the body of Ponca Tribal Police Officer Charles Running Over Water, 47, was found on Salt Fork a mile and a half west of the White Eagle depot by local children. Officer Charles Running Over Water’s body had two bullet wounds leading to the theory that this was indeed murder. John and Sophia Bull were arrested for the crime. Charles Running Over Water was a popular citizen and tribal officer.
Charles Running Over Water’s wife Jennie died a year before him. They both are buried in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery, Ponca City, Kay County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 4N-2-8 NLEOM –
January 16, 2022
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William Luther "Lee" Russell - Deputy Sheriff
Adair County Sheriff’s Office
Late the afternoon of Saturday, December 18, 1915, Deputy Sheriff William Russell, 34, came across Bennie Taylor and Thornton Williams in the Ewing Chapel area of Adair County. The men were in possession of illegal liquor they were bringing back from Arkansas. Deputy Sheriff William Russell deputized Abe Bigby and they intercepted Bennie Taylor and Thornton Williams.
When Deputy Sheriff William Russell indicated his intent to arrest the two men, Bennie Taylor shot Deputy Sheriff William Russell with a shotgun. Deputy Sheriff Russell was able to shoot Bennie Taylor five times with his Winchester rifle. Thornton Williams then pretended to surrender until he lured the deputy sheriff off his guard. Thornton Williams then drew an automatic pistol and shot Deputy Sheriff William Russell five times. Thornton Williams then picked up the fallen Bennie Taylor’s shotgun and fled.
Deputy Sheriff William Russell, although mortally wounded with his right arm shattered, managed to walk to his home a short distance away.
Bennie Taylor died at 10 p.m. that night and Deputy Sheriff William Russell died the next morning, Sunday, December 19, 1915.
Thornton Williams was arrested a few days later hiding in a cave near Evansville, Arkansas. Thornton Williams was returned to Adair County, charged with Deputy Sheriff Russell’s murder, tried, and found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison at hard labor.
Deputy Sheriff William Russell was survived by his wife Martha and five-year-old son Frank.
Deputy Sheriff William Russell is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Stilwell, Adair County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 1N-2-6 NLEOM – 20E28
December 19, 2021
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Ronald Dean Russell – Off Duty Military Police Officer
U.S. Army
Ronald Russell was born on December 2, 1954, in Dallas, Texas. In 1978, he was a Specialist Fourth Class in the U.S. Army, assigned as a dog handler with the 546th Military Police Company at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
On Monday, July 3, 1978, Specialist Ronald Russell was off duty and accompanied Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Troopers Richard Oldaker and Ronald Alexander as an observer in an OHP Cessna 182 traffic spotter aircraft. The aircraft crashed in rural Harmon County, killing all three officers.
OLEM – 2N-1-4
January 16, 2022
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Sherman Russell - Deputy U.S. Marshal
U.S. Marshal
Sherman Russell worked under U.S. Marshal George Crump of the Western District of Arkansas in Fort Smith. On Wednesday, July 12, 1893, Deputy Marshal Sherman Russell had gone after a black man named Sam Woodward on a warrant out of the federal court in Fort Smith. Locating Sam Woodward near Muskogee, Indian Territory, Deputy Marshal Sherman Russell attempted the arrest, but was shot and killed by Sam Woodward.
A large posse was dispatched but was unable to locate Sam Woodward. After a lengthy investigation, another black man named Willie Johnson, who was also known as Willie Overton, was arrested, and charged with aiding and abetting Sam Woodward in the killing of Deputy Marshal Sherman Russell. Willie Johnson was found guilty and sentenced to hang by Judge Isaac Parker. While awaiting his second appeal, Willie Johnson agreed to plead guilty for a sentence of life in prison.
It is unknown if Sam Woodward was ever arrested.
The burial site of Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherman Russell is unknown.
OLEM – 4N-1-12 NLEOM – 14E26
January 16, 2022
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William M. Russell - Sheriff
Kiamichi County, Choctaw Nation
On Friday, December 23, 1904, the Walter C. Jones Company in Sherman, Texas was burglarized, and over $1,100 worth of merchandise was stolen. Telegraphs were sent to surrounding areas and a few hours later, the two suspects were arrested in Hugo, Oklahoma by Hugo City Marshal Tom Bryan. The next day, Christmas Eve, the two burglary suspects were being transported back to Texas on a train escorted by Kiamichi County Sheriff William Russell and several other officers. When the train neared Mead, Oklahoma, one of the suspects pulled a gun and shot Sheriff William Russell fatally. The suspects opened a window on the train, jumped from the train and escaped.
Sheriff William Russell was survived by his wife Emma and two young daughters, Etta, 5, and Etha, 3.
William Russell is buried in the Roebuck Family Cemetery, Hugo, Choctaw County, Oklahoma.
OLEM – 2N-2-24 NLEOM – 45E18
December 24, 2021
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Claude E. "Shorty" Ryan - Night Officer
Okemah Police Department
About 9:30 p.m. on Saturday February 26, 1927, while making his rounds Night Officer Claude Ryan apparently interrupted the burglary of a warehouse and was shot once through the heart. Although the shot was heard at the time Officer Claude Ryan’s body was not discovered in an alley until shortly after midnight. It was discovered that one-thousand-five-hundred dollars’ worth of cigarettes had been stolen from the burglarized warehouse.
Officer Claude Ryan was survived by his wife Mildred and is buried in Morse Cemetery, Okemah, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma.
A month later five men were arrested in connection with the murder of Night Officer Claude Ryan. Chester Alton Purdey, 29, Kansas prison escapee Wesley Harrison, Ralph Bainum aka “Ralph “Bob” King”, and Asa O. Pendleton were all found guilty of the murder of Officer Claude Ryan and sentenced to life in prison. Wesley Harrison was the one who shot Officer Claude Ryan. George Burch, 76, a bootlegger turned States’ Witness along with his son Bill, against the other four men who actually committed the warehouse burglary during which Night Officer Claude Ryan was shot and killed.
OLEM – 3S-3-10 NLEOM – 19W24
March 1, 2021
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