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Incident
Constable William Wilmoth and Deputy Sheriff Emery Whitten were shot and killed while attempting to recover a runaway juvenile at a farmhouse 12 miles from Idabel.
It was suspected that the juvenile was with a young man who was staying at the home of a local resident. At 9:00 a.m., when the deputies arrived at the residence, the deputies were unable to locate the juvenile or the young man. Another subject at the residence told the deputies to leave, or he would shoot them. When they asked a second time for the return of the runaway or the young man, the subject opened fire. Constable Wilmoth died that evening, and Deputy Whitten died the following day.
The suspect, who was wanted for bank robberies in the area, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to 99 years for each murder. On May 13, 1936, the suspect participated in an attempted prison escape. In that incident, Prison Guard Charles Powell of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections was shot and killed. The suspect was paroled on October 14, 1958.
The juvenile they were looking for had eloped in Texas with the young man, and neither was aware of the shooting. The man was arrested for his role in the bank robberies.
Constable Wilmoth had served with the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office for 10 years and previously served with the Pollard and Haworth Police Departments.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Constable Wilmoth gave the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Idabel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Wilmoth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 2 officers at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 14 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 55. Of the 7 killed feloniously at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 50; the middle age was 44. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
William was 55. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 55. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 37.5% of these deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 50%.
August holds 7.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from McCurtain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
