Glenn Allison , Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
The morning of Thursday, February 7, 1918, Officer Allison, 28, was guarding two robbery suspects in his patrol car while other officers were attempting to locate and arrest a third suspect. One of the two suspects, John “Woody” Russell located a tire pump and struck Officer Allison in the head, knocking him unconscious. Russell took the officer’s gun and started to drive off in the police car as Officer Allison began to regain consciousness on the floorboard of the car. Russell shot Officer Allison in the stomach. After a short distance Russell wrecked the police car and fled on foot. Officer Allison died that afternoon from a fractured skull caused by the blow to the head. His wife and three children survived Allison.
Harry Harrison Aurandt , Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Officer Aurandt, 47, was serving as secretary to the Tulsa Police Commissioner as well as purchasing agent for the Tulsa Police and Fire Departments. The evening of Sunday, December 18, 1921, Officer Aurandt and Detective Ike Wilkinson had gone rabbit hunting in a rural area of Tulsa on Federal Road (now Admiral Place). About 9 P.M. the officers had returned to their car when approached by four armed men who had gotten out of a Buick touring car with the intent of robbing the officers. Wilkinson attempted to fire his shotgun at them but it misfired. The Four men started shooting at he officers while they were setting in their car. Aurandt, despite serious wounds in one lung, leg and liver, drove a mile to a farmhouse where he collapsed. Wilkinson was crippled for life from leg wounds just above the knees. Aurandt died from his wounds the afternoon of December 20. Harry Aurandt left behind a wife and two children, a 12-year old daughter and a 3-year old son. The son, Paul Harvey Aurandt, grew up to be the well-known conservative radio commentator, author and columnist Paul Harvey
George Lee Brady, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Officer Brady was killed on April 3, 1963, after being involved in an accident during a high-speed pursuit of a sixteen year old male. A vehicle pulled in front of Brady and he went left of center to avoid the vehicle and struck another vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle Brady struck was also killed. The vehicle he was pursuing wrecked later and the driver apprehended.
William Sydney Brooks, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
On December 27, 1930 Motorcycle Officer Brooks, 39, was escorting an ambulance which was transporting a man wounded by another officer. Brooks had been an officer only two months. A vehicle pulling a trailer pulled in front of Brooks at the Sapulpa Highway and Carbondale Road in Oakhurst causing Brooks to collide with the trailer. Brooks died from head injuries on December 31 leaving behind a wife and six children.
Walter C Busch, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
Tuesday, October 10, 1944, Officer Busch was chasing a speeding motorist on his police motorcycle when he was involved in a traffic accident at Seventeenth Street and Quannah Avenue. Busch’s injuries did not appear serious but he died from his injuries about 10:30 A.M. the next day, October 11th
Donald L Byerley, Sergeant
Tulsa Police Department
Sergeant Byerley, 34, and his partner, Officer Curtis W Haley stopped a motorist just after midnight on Sunday, October 12, 1980, on the entrance ramp to west bound I-244 from Delaware Avenue. The officers were talking to the driver, Earl McDaniel in their police car when a vehicle driven by Fred A Clapp rammed it from behind. The officers and McDaniel were pinned in the police care for almost an hour. Byerley never regained consciousness after the accident and died about 2 A.M. on December 15. Byerley left behind a wife and two daughters.
Sylvester R "Ves" Carmack, Detective
Tulsa Police Department
Detective Carmack and his partner Detective Ben Johnston were questioning a couple of suspicious men by a car near the Sophian Plaza in the 1500 block of South Frisco Avenue on the evening of Thursday, September 12, 1946. Carmack was talking with James Oswell Neely, 17, on the passenger’s side of the car while Johnston was talking with Victor Lloyd Everhart, 23, on the driver’s side. At almost the same time both men drew guns and fired at the officers. Johnston was hit in the upper right chest and Carmack was shot through the heart. Carmack was able to shoot Neely in the leg before he died at the scene. Detective Johnston died on Friday January 3, 1947, from his wound.
Wallace Eugene Casey, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
Officer Casey was involved in a traffic accident with a truck about 2 P.M. Saturday afternoon May 11, 1957, at 47th and Union Avenue. Officer Casey died the next morning from his injuries that included a severed spinal cord. The drunk driver of the truck fled the scene but was arrested two blocks away. A wife and two daughters survived Casey.
Walter N. Clark, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
Late in the afternoon of Thursday, November 5, 1936, Officer Clark, 56, attempted to arrest Charles Hargrave, an escaped Missouri State Prison convict, for passing forged checks at a drug store at Second and Main Streets. Hargrave shot Clark in the abdomen. Clark returned fire, wounding Hargrave. Hargrave was killed in a shoot out with police later that day. Clark died from his wound at 2:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 10th. Clark left behind a wife, a son and five daughters.
Ray F. Cowan, Captain
Tulsa Police Department
While serving as desk sergeant in the jail, Cowan interceded in a fight between a prisoner and another officer. Cowan received a severe blow to the head. Cowen was later promoted to Captain in 1936 and retired in 1946. He died on February 4, 1947, six months after retiring, do to both a heart attack and the after-effects of the head injury.
Leroy F. Cowles, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
On Friday afternoon, September 8, 1961, Officer Cowles was involved in a traffic accident at Denver Avenue and 15th Street while pursuing a speeding motorist on his police motorcycle. Officer Cowles was thrown over the top of the car he struck and died from multiple injuries including a crushed chest and fractured skull. The other driver was slightly injured in the accident. The speeding motorist was never identified.
Robert Donnelly, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Officer Donnelly was a member of the Bicycle Squad on Saturday, February 25, 1922. About 11 P.M., Donnelly and his partner L. K. Granger, stopped a car with five young men from Skiatook in it at North Main and Marshall Street. The officers intended to check the car for illegal liquor. As the fifth man got out of the car he shot Officer Donnelly in the abdomen once with a .45 automatic pistol. The shooter, Norris Crabtree, 17, fled on foot while his four companions stayed where they were. Officer Granger could not fire at Crabtree because of the many bystanders in the way. Officer Donnelly died the next day. Crabtree was soon arrested, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Hugh G. Greer, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Shortly after midnight on Friday, April 27, 1962, Officer Greer and his partner, Corporal Ray Burch, responded to a possible burglary in progress call at the rear of the Safeway store at 17th Street and South Boston Avenue. As the officers approached two men at the back door of the store the men began running through the adjoining residential area. The officers caught the men in the rear of 1725 South Baltimore Avenue at which time one of the men, Joe Allen Johnson, 23, grabbed Officer Greer’s gun and emptied it at both officers. Officer Greer was hit twice in the upper right chest and Burch was shot in the mouth. Burch then shot Johnson in the chest. Officer Greer, 37, died an hour later in the hospital. Burch survived his wound. Joe Allen Johnson was arrested a block from the scene and the second man, Dennis Lee McGinnis, 21, was arrested eight hours later. Both men were charged with Officer Greer’s murder. Officer Greer left behind a wife, a son and two daughters.
John Herrod, Sergeant
Tulsa Police Department
About 1:30 A.M. on Friday, November 9, 1917, Sergeant Herrod, 40, was painting traffic signs at Second and Main near police headquarters when his single action .41 caliber revolver fell from his shoulder holster and discharged. Sergeant Herrod was struck in the chest, the bullet passing through his heart. Sergeant Herrod died moments later in the arms of Captain Wilkerson who was in headquarters when he heard the shot and ran to investigate. Sergeant Herrod was the first Tulsa Police officer to die in the line of duty.
Dick Vernon Hobson Jr., Patrol Officer
Tulsa Police Department
At 9:35 P.M. on Monday, June 10, 1996, a white man, a black man and an American Indian robbed a fast food restaurant at 1400 South Peoria. Moments after the three robbers fled, a stolen white Mitsubishi was wrecked on I-44 near the robbery scene. A white male was seen running from the wrecked car with a “rifle”. Canine officers Hobson, 45, and Steve Downie, 38, responded to the scene to search for the suspects. The officers began searching an alley with their police dogs when they were fired upon from ambush with a shotgun. Officer Hobson was struck in the chest and Downie was struck in the leg. Three other officers in the alley returned fire and killed Steven Michael Williams, 21, the white robbery suspect. Officer Hobson died from his wounds the next morning, June 11th. Officer Downie recovered from his wounds. Officer Hobson was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Lawrence M. Inman, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
On Wednesday, January 15, 1947, Officer Lawrence, 53, was responding to a reported armed robbery when his patrol car was involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle on East 11th Street and he was injured. Officer Inman died from his injuries two months later on March 13th.
Robert S. Jackson, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
About 8:30 P.M. on Monday, October 31, 1927, Officer Jackson was summoned to the Ellis residence at 523 North Greenwood in reference to the husband, Percy, being drunk and threatening to shoot his wife. As Officer Jackson started up the front steps to the residence, Percy Ellis shot him four times. The officer returned fire, hitting Ellis in both arms, the left lung and liver before he collapsed. Officer Jackson died on the way to the hospital. Ellis died from his wounds several days later. Jackson was the first black Tulsa police officer to die in the line of duty.
Ben H. Johnston, Detective
Tulsa Police Department
Detective Johnston and his partner Detective S. R. Carmack were questioning a couple of suspicious men by a car near the Sophian Plaza in the 1500 block of South Frisco Avenue on the evening of Thursday, September 12, 1946. Carmack was talking with James Oswell Neely, 17, on the passenger’s side of the car while Johnston was talking with Victor Lloyd Everhart, 23, on the driver’s side. At almost the same time both men drew guns and fired at the officers. Johnston was hit in the upper right chest and Carmack was shot through the heart. Carmack was able to shoot Neely in the leg before he died at the scene. Detective Johnston, 57, died on Friday January 3, 1947 from a heart ailment aggravated by his wound. Everhart was charged with Johnson’s murder but escaped from the Tulsa County Jail on February 2. He was later killed in a shootout with OHP Troopers south of Chouteau.
Carl V. "Poncho" Kime Jr., Canine Officer
Tulsa Police Department
About 2 A.M. on Monday, November 5, 1979, while on routine patrol Officer Kime observed an open door on the Sooner Insurance Merchandise business at 5710 E. 11th St. Officer Kime, 29, and his German Shepard canine partner “Smokey” entered the open door to search for possible burglars. Retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Herbert Hellen was working as a security guard for the business that night and only minutes earlier had chased two burglars from the store. Apparently Hellen thought they were returning when he saw a silhouetted figure at the door of the office he was in using the telephone. Hellen fired at the figure with a .12-gauge shotgun from about 35 feet away. Most of the buckshot hit Officer Kime in the neck and left side killing him. “Smokey” crawled on top of his mortally wounded handler and held police at bay until other canine officers arrived and were able to coax him away. Officer Kime was survived by his wife, Kathrine and two daughters ages 1 and 8. No criminal charges were brought against Hellen.
Claude Lynch, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
On Sunday night, November 28, 1948, Officer Lynch, 48, a 15-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department and his partner Henry Johnson, were transporting John Camp to jail on a complaint of discharging a firearm. Officer Johnson was driving with Camp seated next to him. Officer Lynch was riding in the back seat with the female complainant. After they had gone a short distance Camp attack Officer Johnson who was able to stop the patrol car. Officer Lynch got out and ran to the passenger side to restrain Camp. However Camp was able to get control of Officer Johnson’s gun and fire several shots at Officer Lynch. One shot struck him in the throat fatally severing Officer Lynch’s jugular vein
William Charles Meacham, Detective
Tulsa Police Department
On Tuesday, June 1, 1920, about 6 P.M. Detective Meacham was advised by one of his informants where a fugitive named George H Smith might be located. Detective Meacham located Smith about 7 P.M. in Downtown Tulsa and arrested him. Meacham searched Smith and removed a gun. He then went to a call box with his prisoner and while calling in for transportation, Smith shot the Detective three times with a second gun that the Detective missed in his search. Smith escaped and Detective Meacham died a week later at 8 A.M. the morning of Tuesday, June 8th. Smith was killed in a shootout with officers in Kansas City, Missouri on June 19th. Detective Meacham had turned in his resignation with the Tulsa Police Department at noon the day he was shot to become the City Marshal of Bigheart. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Thomas Ernest Milstead, Humane Officer
Tulsa Police Department Dog Pound
On May 11, 1961, Edward Schoonover went to the Tulsa Dog Pound to pickup a dog for a friend. Officer Milstead advised him that he could not pick the dog up until the next day. Schoonover left after a heated argument, went home, got a gun, returned and shot Milstead. Officer Milstead’s spine was severed by the bullet. Milstead died on November 30, 1961, from his wound. Schoonover was found mentally incompetent to stand trial and was admitted to Eastern State Mental Hospital.
Lawrence B. Mitchell
Tulsa Police Department
Henry C. Morrison, Detective
Tulsa Police Department
Morrison, 52, had been in law enforcement almost twenty years, having served as an officer in Coffeyville, Kansas and as a Deputy Sheriff in Okmulgee County before joining the Tulsa Police Department on May 4, 1932.
On Sunday, April 23, 1933, Morrison and his partner, J.A. Mellin, apprehended two men trying to steal a car. Mellin placed one suspect in his car to transport him to jail while Morris placed the other suspect, Dave Olinger, in his. When Morrison reached the intersection of second and Kenosha Streets, Olinger attacked him, wrestled Morrison’s gun from him and shot him twice. Olinger guided the car into a near by service station, dumped Morrison’s body in the back seat and shot him two more times killing him. Olinger was arrested two hours later. He pled self defense at his trial and was acquitted.
James S. Peters,
Officer
Tulsa Police Department
James Peters joined the Tulsa Police Department in 1928. He was laid off in
1933, but rehired in 1936. In 1949, Peters, 76, was one of only two foot
patrolmen on the force.
Lawrence R. Rogers,
Police Officer
Tulsa Police Department
On the night of Sunday, March 16, 1941, MK&T Railroad agent W.S. Wooten was pursuing two black men when they crashed their vehicle at Lansing and Independence Street. Wooten managed to arrest the two men with the help of two black Tulsa Police Officers. The officers asked Wooten if he needed further assistance to which he declined. Wooten did ask him if they would contact headquarters and ask a sergeant be sent. The officers called headquarters and then left to answer another call. Several Raiding Squad officers including L.R. “Shorty” Rogers were dispatched.
Witnesses stated they saw Wooten arguing with one of the suspects after the black officers left and before the Raiding Squad Officers arrived. The black suspect tried to walk away, and when Wooten tried to stop him, the suspect managed to get Wooten’s weapon. Finis Benningfield forced Wooten to get in the car and then shot him, emptying the weapon, and killing him.
When the Raiding Squad officers arrived, the driver pulled in front of Wooten’s car, Officer Rogers got out and approached the car from an angle that prevented him from seeing the dead agent’s body. Benningfield, seated in the car, shot Rogers once in the head as he approached, killing him almost instantly. Benningfield was immediately shot and killed by the other officers.
James Albert “Bert” Slay, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
Officer Slay, 28, a seven-year veteran of the force, was injured on October 28, 1986, when his patrol car slipped out of gear, rolled from a parked position and pinned him against a beer truck at which time he was issuing a traffic ticket. Police report that the driver of the beer truck backed the vehicle off Slay and radioed for help. Officer Slay died in a Tulsa hospital on November 10, 1986, from a blood clot resulting from a fractured pelvis he suffered in the accident on October 28th. The officers at the department were “getting comfortable” with the fact that it had been a couple weeks since the accident and thought Slay would recover. Officer Slay was working downtown patrol from the department’s Uniform Division West when the accident occurred. He was preparing the motorcycle training for the department and was to begin that training the following week. Officer Slay was survived by his wife, Marilyn, a 6 year old daughter and 22 month old son.
Kelley L. Smythe,
Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Less than two weeks old, the Tulsa Police Department’s helicopter program suffered its first tragedy on Friday, March 26, 1982. Pilot Chance Whiteman, 35 and a 5 year veteran of the police department, radioed that he and Officer Kelley Smythe, also a 5 year veteran of the department, would be en route to assist in a high speed chase. That was the last transmission heard from the two officers. A deputy sheriff found the crash site about 1:30 a.m. Both officers died in the crash. The helicopter had been leased from the Oklahoma City Police Department and was found to have a current (FAA) air worthiness certificate, current annual inspection and all periodic maintenance. Whiteman was one of two helicopter pilots and had over 1,500 hours of flight time. He had flown helicopters for the Army in Vietnam and had survived being shot down twice. He still flew for the Oklahoma National Guard. Since it was a new program, the pilots were taking ground officers up to familiarize and orient them with the capabilities. Smythe was taking the place of the regular observer that night and was not assigned to the helicopter unit. Kelley Smythe was a life-long Tulsa resident and a graduate of Hale High School. He was buried in the Floral Haven Cemetery.
Constantine Gus Spanos, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
On Thursday, April 22, 1993, Officer “Gus” Spanos stopped a car on a routine traffic stop. When a backup officer came by minutes later, he found Officer Spanos lying on the ground next to his patrol car, shot in the head. The officer died within the hour. It was believed that the car Officer Spanos stopped was filled with cocaine. Anthony Lyn Kimbrough was arrested a few days later. Kimbrough was arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Jerome Thurman Spybuck,
Sergeant
Tulsa Police Department
Shortly after noon on Friday, April 2, 1971, nine local and federal officers conducted a drug raid on the residence of Truan Trowbridge. One of those officers was Sergeant Spybuck. Although officers had reason to suspect weapons were in the Trowbridge house, the basis for ATFU agents joining in the raid, none of the nine officers carried shotguns. The residents refused to open the door and agents proceeded to break it down. As they entered, Trowbridge opened fire on the officers then ran out the back door. As he was running toward the garage, he turned and saw Spybuck coming at him from the front of the lot. Trowbridge began firing at Spybuck. Spybuck returned fire wounding Trowbridge before falling. Trowbridge’s wife, Glenda Marlene, and Donald Odell Birdwell were both arrested as material witnesses. A large quantity of drugs, stolen property and illegal blasting caps were seized in the raid.
Spybuck and Trowbridge were taken to St. Francis Hospital where Spybuck died on the operating table about 2 P.M. Trowbridge survived his wounds, was charged with the officer’s murder, was convicted and sent to prison. Trowbridge was later killed by another inmate. Sergeant Spybuck was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Gerald Martin “Jerry”
St. Clair, Patrolman
Tulsa Police Department
On Friday, August 30, 1946, Officer St. Clair and Officer Elmer Strotman, were in pursuit of a grocery store robber. Shots were being fired back and forth from one car to the other. The officers were following about 25 feet behind the fleeing suspect. The fugitive, without looking back, reached over his shoulder and fired at the patrol car. The bullet penetrated the windshield and hit Officer St. Clair in the forehead. Officer Strotman managed to guide the patrol car to a safe stop. Officer Harold Harding was also wounded in the leg as he was riding his police motorcycle in the pursuit. Officer Harding recovered from his wounds, but Officer St. Clair died on September 2, 1946.
Carl Austin DeWolf was arrested about 2 months later and charged with Officer St. Clair’s murder. DeWolf was in possession of the .45 that killed Officer St. Clair. Another suspect, identified as Victor Lloyd Everhart, was arrested first but escaped. Everhart kidnapped a cab driver and his wife and forced them to drive to Chouteau. The cab was stopped by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. During the ensuing gun battle, the cab driver was wounded and Everhart was killed. DeWolf claimed that he got the gun from Everhart. He claimed his innocence until November 17 1953, the day he was executed for killing Officer St. Clair.
Officer Elmer Strotman retired from the Tulsa Police Department in 1956 after serving for 24 years. In 1992 he was honored in the first Law Enforcement Appreciation Day parade in Oklahoma City as the oldest retired law enforcement officer in Oklahoma. He died in a nursing home in Tulsa on July 16, 1996, at the age of 96.
Fabrienne Margot VanArsdell, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
At approximately 3:00 A.M. on the morning of Saturday, July 25, 1981, Officer VanArsdell, made a routine traffic stop which would turn out to be her last. VanArsdell stopped a pickup for changing lanes without signaling. After obtaining the driver’s identification, she returned to her patrol car. The driver, Glen Ferguson, 20, went back to her patrol car and standing by the driver’s door, asked the officer if she wanted him to get in the car with her. VanArsdell told him she did not. At that moment, Ferguson saw a vehicle approaching them and heading right for the rear of the patrol car. The collision knocked the patrol car into Ferguson’s pickup, ramming it 100 feet down the street and completely turning the patrol car around. VanArsdell’s vehicle immediately burst into flames, quickly becoming totally involved in the fire. Ferguson tried to rescue the female officer, but the doors were locked and the flames were spreading too fast. Responding Tulsa officers also tried to rescue their fellow officer, but to no avail. VanArsdell’s fellow officers early on had nicknamed her “Sam” because of the difficulty pronouncing her name. While serving as a Tulsa Police Officer she met and fell in love with one of the local Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, Sam VanArsdell. After a courtship, the two married and there became two Sam VanArsdells enforcing the law in the Tulsa area. Trooper Sam VanArsdell was one of the first officers on the scene of the accident, unaware that his wife was the officer in the burning patrol car. As soon as the other officers realized this, they hurried him away from the area as quickly as possible. The driver of the other vehicle, Stephen Mills, 32, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol. Mrs. VanArsdell was the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Oklahoma.
Edward W. VonHolten,
Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Shortly before 11 P.M. on Wednesday, March 24, 1937, Officer VonHolten was preparing to go on duty from Police Headquarters. He had agreed to give Mrs. Stella M. Geise, a Tulsa Police Department jail matron who was just getting off duty, a ride home in his patrol car. VonHolten reached into the back seat to move a double-barrel shotgun which lay on the seat. One of the hammers of the weapon caught on the seat as the weapon was moved across the seat. The weapon discharged wounding Mrs. Geise. The discharge surprised Officer VonHolten who dropped the shotgun which discharged again when it struck the floorboard of the car. The second blast caused Officer VonHolten’s death. Officer VonHolten was 61 years old. He worked in the grocery and café business until joining the Tulsa Police force in 1932. Mrs. Geise recovered from her wounds.
Tulsa Police Department
On Thursday, May 17, 1951, Detective White, 53, had arrested Henry
Rogers for the rape of an eight-year-old girl and was transporting him to the
police station. Close to First and Elgin Streets, Rogers drew a concealed .32
caliber revolver and shot Detective White once in the chest. The bullet went
through both lungs, the aorta and lodged in his left arm. Rogers escaped on
foot but was soon located near the 1300 block of North Greenwood. Rogers was
immediately surrounded by fourteen officers. A gun battle ensued during which
Rogers wounded two officers (non-fatally) before he was shot five times, three
of the shots being to his head, killing him.
Tulsa Police Department
Less than two
weeks old, the Tulsa Police Department’s helicopter program suffered its first
tragedy on Friday, March 26, 1982. Pilot Chance Whiteman, 35 and a 5 year
veteran of the police department, radioed that he and Officer Kelly Smythe, also
a 5 year veteran of the department, would be en route to assist in a high speed
chase. That was the last transmission heard from the two officers. A deputy
sheriff found the crash site about 1:30 A.M. Both officers died in the crash.
The helicopter had been leased from the Oklahoma City Police Department and was
found to have a current (FAA) air worthiness certificate, current annual
inspection and all periodic maintenance. Whiteman was one of two helicopter
pilots and had over 1500 hours of flight time. He had flown helicopters for the
Army in Vietnam and had survived being shot down twice. He still flew for the
Oklahoma National Guard. Since it was a new program, the pilots were taking
ground officers up to familiarize and orient them with the capabilities. Smythe
was taking the place of the regular observer that night and was not assigned to
the helicopter unit. Officer Whiteman was survived by his wife and one son,
Chance Frederick Whiteman IV.
Nelson F. Williams,
Detective
Tulsa Police Department
Nelson F. Williams, an outstanding officer for the Tulsa Police Department, was the son of a former Chief of Detectives at the Tulsa P.D. On the night of Sunday, June 1, 1958, Bennie Pink Elliott, 25, was speeding and disregarded a red light at Second and Peoria Avenue. As Williams was taking another detective who had gone off duty, home his patrol car was struck by Elliott’s vehicle in that intersection. Williams was ejected from the car and thrown 60 feet. Williams died from multiple skull fractures the next day on June 2nd. Elliott was charged with speeding, disregarding a stop light and driving under the influence of alcohol and manslaughter.
James A. Wooley,
Detective
Tulsa Police Department
At 7 P.M. on Wednesday, January 21, 1931, Officer E.A. Humphrey called for assistance to help him investigate three men sitting in a car with half a dozen shotguns and a number of tires. Humphrey figured these items were stolen. Detectives William Walkley and James Wooley responded. The officers arrested William Elm at a nearby address and then approached the car to question the others. As the officers approached the car, the driver drew a gun and shot Wooley in the chest. Wooley was able to fire four shots before he collapsed. The bullet had pierced one lung, lodging near his spine. Wooley, 62, died from his wounds on January 23rd. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and one son. Wooley had served as Tulsa County Commissioner for two terms and Tulsa County Sheriff prior to his joining the Tulsa Police Department. Charles Elm was arrested the next day in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Gene Elm, the killer of Wooley, was later arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, returned to Tulsa for trial, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Glenn Truman Wortham,
Auxiliary Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Glenn Wortham, 45, had been working for 28 years as the plant operations manager for the Erle M. Jorgensen Company. He had also been working as an Auxiliary Police Officer for the Tulsa Police Department for two and one-half years. The Tulsa Police Department used uncompensated volunteer auxiliary officers as part of the city’s civil defense program. Just after midnight on Sunday, July 15, 1973, Wortham was riding with Officer Mitch Criner when they received a call to investigate a stabbing at DJ’s Charburger Grill. During the investigation, they arrested Glen Edward Stewart as the suspect after chasing him on foot for two blocks. The officers took Stewart to Hillcrest Medical Center to treat him for a cut on his hand. At that point, Stewart became violent. As the two officers tried to lift him from his cot, Stewart kicked Officer Wortham in the stomach. The struggle caused him to suffer a heart attack. Wortham collapsed and died in the emergency room.
Alan F. Yerton, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
Shortly after 1 A.M. on Thursday morning, Christmas Eve of 1959, Officer Yerton, 24, was en route to a hospital on an emergency call. Another patrol car was traveling alongside Yerton’s when a vehicle, driven by Lance Vandeventer, turned in front of the officers at the intersection of 11th and Delaware Avenue. One of the patrol cars swerved to miss the civilian vehicle, jumped the curb, glanced off of a building and hit the other patrol car. Although Officer Yerton’s injuries were initially diagnosed as minor fractures and lacerations, he died from his injuries 25 hours later on Christmas morning.
Vandeventer ran from the scene but was later arrested and felony charges filed for leaving the scene of an injury accident and manslaughter. Two passengers in his car were arrested at the accident scene for Public Drunkenness.
Ed Yoakum, Officer
Tulsa Police Department
At 3 A.M. on Wednesday, October 27, 1920, K.W. Cottrel received a phone call at his home from a neighbor calling to tell him there was a burglar in his house. Mr. Cottrell had already been awakened by the burglar, got his pistol from under the pillow and began searching the dark house.
Four Tulsa officers, including Officer Yoakum, quickly arrived and surrounded the residence. Officer Yoakum, a veteran of World War I, went to the rear of the house and soon arrested the burglar Tom Smith coming out of the back door carrying a gun in one hand and his shoes in the other.
Mr. Cottrel was still searching his house and as he approached his back door he saw a man’s shadow in the doorway. Cottrel fired at the shadow once and heard a man scream. Officer Yoakum, hit in the chest, ran around the house and collapsed in the front yard. Yoakum was rushed to the hospital and died an hour and a half later. No charges were ever filed against Mr. Cottrel who was absolved by Officer Yoakum just before he died saying, “I forgive the man that shot me.”
Officer Yoakum’s badge number was 13, the same badge number that Officer Glenn Allison had been wearing when he was killed in the line of duty two years earlier. Yoakum had specifically requested that badge number the previous spring.