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Lewis Franklin Cantey
Incident
Police Officer Frank Cantey died as the result of complications from contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Officer Cantey had served as a part-time police officer with the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department for three years and had served in Oklahoma law enforcement for a total of 42 years. He had previously served with the Kansas Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Pryor Police Department, and as the elected sheriff of Mayes County.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, stepdaughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Police Officer Lewis Franklin Cantey died on June 18, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 69.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, stepdaughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3a9hmhsjznch6jb3k7- Stewardship
- 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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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Lewis is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Police Officer Cantey gave the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department 42 years.
Thank you for your service to the Langley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cantey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Lewis is the only officer of Grand River Dam Authority Police Department remembered here.
Lewis is one of 21 officers lost to illness in OK, 3.6% of the 582 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 8 officers in OK were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Lewis was 69. Of the 21 lost to illness in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 57; the middle age was 52. Lewis had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Lewis was 69. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Lewis had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Lewis was 69. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Lewis had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
June holds 4.8% of these deaths in OK; August holds the most, 23.8%. Fridays: 9.5%.
June holds 4.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
June holds 6.1% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Grand River Dam Authority Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 3.6% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Grand River Dam Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw.