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Incident
Marshal J.D. Graham was shot and killed by a drunk man seeking revenge as a result of an encounter with the marshal earlier in the evening. The marshal had ejected the man from a pool hall and ordered him to go home and go to sleep. The suspect went home, obtained a 12-gauge shotgun, and then went searching for Marshal Graham. He located the marshal on a city street. Marshal Graham again told the man to go home and then turned to walk away. The suspect shot Marshal Graham in the back of the head at a range of six feet, killing him instantly. The suspect was convicted of Marshal Graham's murder and sentenced to 40 years. However, while the suspect was out on appeal he was killed by Marshal Graham's son. The son was tried for murder and acquitted.
Survivors
Marshal Graham was survived by his wife and ten children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
City Marshal Graham served with the Temple Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Temple community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Graham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson is the only officer of Temple Police Department remembered here.
Jefferson is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Jefferson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jefferson 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 1929, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jefferson was 63. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Jefferson was 63. 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.
Jefferson was 63. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 6.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Temple Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.4% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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