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Incident
Deputy James Wilson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men and two women who had robbed a bank in Elgin.
Deputy Wilson and officers from three jurisdictions had trailed two suspects to a farmhouse 11 miles outside of town. Deputy Wilson and two officers entered the house and were met by a hail of gunfire. Deputy Wilson was later found with 15 gunshot wounds. The other two deputies were wounded and the owner of the house, who was being held hostage, was shot and killed. The two male suspects, shot and wounded, were taken custody along with their two female companions.
During the previous week the same suspects shot and killed Policeman George Loper of the Pauls Valley Police Department while he was on his beat.
The two men were convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair June 10, 1937. One of the women was sentenced to five years and the other to 10 years for their participation in the bank robbery.
Deputy Wilson had been employed with the Grady County Sheriff's Office for six months, and is survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson had been employed with the Grady County Sheriff's Office for six months, and is survived by his wife and six children.
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 Wilson served with the Grady County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chickasha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grady County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 9 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 42. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. James had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 42. 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. James had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Grady County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Grady County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Grady County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
