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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Adus Windham and Deputy Sheriff Arthur Kelley were shot and killed from ambush by two subjects due to retaliation of an earlier traffic stop near Cedar Grove Church near Midland City at approximately 4:30 pm.
The deputies had been enforcing the local prohibition laws when they pulled a vehicle over and released the driver after no illegal liquor was found in the vehicle. The suspect returned to the home of his step-father and informed him what had just happened. Both of them armed themselves with a shotgun and .45 caliber handguns and went to the area of the traffic stop. Both deputies were performing a traffic stop when they were both taken off guard. Deputy Kelley was struck multiple times in the torso and killed instantly. He was unable to defend himself and was discovered with his duty weapon still in his holster. Deputy Windham was struck multiple times in the head and torso and suffered both shotgun and pistol wounds. He managed to get one shot off striking the step-father in the head, causing a grazing wound.
Both subjects returned to their home nearby immediately after the shooting where they surrendered to police peaceably without incident. Both subjects were charged with first-degree murder. In February 1928, the step-father was given a life sentence. A year later he received a new trial and was sentenced to 20 years. The step-son was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Deputy Windham was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister. He had been deputized to assist Deputy Sheriff Arthur Kelley in enforcing the prohibition laws.
Survivors
Deputy Windham was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Windham served with the Dale County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ozark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Windham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dale County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Adus is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Adus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Adus is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 10 officers in AL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Adus was 43. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Adus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Adus was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Adus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Adus was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Adus had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Dale County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Dale County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Adus among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dale County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.