Prev
Incident
Police Officer Sam Neal was shot and killed while confronting a suspicious person while on night patrol.
He observed the man carrying a large bag. When he approached the man and asked him what was in the bag the man whipped out a revolver and shot him in the right arm. Unable to use his gun Officer Neal grappled with the suspect. During the struggle, Officer Neal was shot in the head. He lived long enough to tell other officers who his assailant was and also described another man who was with him. It was later discovered that the two had burglarized a nearby business.
Both suspects were captured a few hours later on a train near Porum. The suspect who killed Officer Neal was convicted of his murder and executed in the electric chair on April 13th, 1917.
Officer Neal had served with the Muskogee Police Department for three years and had previously served as a Justice of the Peace for the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory.
Officer Neal had served with the Muskogee Police Department for three years and had previously served as a Justice of the Peace for the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children and is buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was survived by his wife and three children and is buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnm4vk3jks9g4117508v- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Neal gave the Muskogee Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Neal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Muskogee Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer at Muskogee Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1915, 11 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 39. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Muskogee Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 46.3 and 50.8; the middle age was 50. Samuel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Samuel was 39. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Samuel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 39. 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. Samuel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 50% of these deaths at Muskogee Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 50%.
December holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Muskogee Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.2% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Muskogee Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Muskogee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
