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Incident
Undersheriff Ira Wofford was killed in an automobile accident in Arapahoe County, Colorado, while transporting a prisoner back to Sequoyah County.
The was wanted in connection with a burglary of a service station and had been arrested in Denver, Colorado.
Undersherif Wofford, along with an investigator from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, were driving the man back to Oklahoma when a truck forced their car of the road. Their vehicle overturned, pinning both officers underneath it. Despite being handcuffed and injured, the prisoner attempted to lift the vehicle off of the officers. When he was unable to do so, he flagged down a passing truck driver for assistance.
Undersheriff Wofford was survived by his wife, three daughters, and two sons.
Survivors
Undersheriff Wofford was survived by his wife, three daughters, and two sons.
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.
Undersheriff Wofford served with the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sallisaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Wofford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ira is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Ira is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ira is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 1 officer in OK was lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ira was 49. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38.
Ira was 49. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Ira was 49. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 12.6%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ira among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
