Incident
Corporal John Okafor suffered a fatal heart attack while exercising in the Tulsa County Jail.
He was jogging up and down the stairs in the area of the jail he was assigned when he suddenly collapsed. Nearby inmates immediately notified other officers who began giving him medical aid. He was transported to Oklahoma State Medical Center where he passed away a short time later.
Corporal Okafor had served with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Corporal Okafor gave the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Okafor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
John is one of 21 officers lost to cardiac events in OK, 3.6% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 1 officer in OK was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 2.
In 2020, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2020, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
John was 59. Of the 19 lost to cardiac events in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 54.5; the middle age was 47. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 59. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
John was 59. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 19% of these deaths in OK; January holds the most, 19%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 9.1% of all 11 deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Pleas Yargee
Oct 27, 1909
-
Charles Stamper Oct 9, 1910
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John Ernst
Dec 25, 1910
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Dewitt Clinton Cooley
Sep 15, 1915
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James Ward Aug 20, 1919
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William Thomas Beasley
Sep 11, 1919
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James A. Sewell
Mar 24, 1925
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Joe Cecil Clark
Feb 18, 1959
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Wesley Green Cole
Jun 9, 1972
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John Okafor
Apr 15, 2020
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John Arthur Harris, II
Aug 19, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.







