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Burton Lee Brewer
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Burton Brewer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had just killed Marshal Thomas Adkins of the Dewar Police Department and Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree of the Henryetta Police Department. The suspect was then shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned, and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in June of 2016. As of October 22, 2022, he was in prison. Deputy Brewer was a United States National Guard and Army WWII veteran who retired from the Okmulgee Fire Department after 21 years of service. He then became a private detective in Tulsa for a time before joining the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Department, where he served with the agency for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Brewer gave the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Okmulgee community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Burton Lee Brewer served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Burton is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Burton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Burton 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 1974, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Burton was 52. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Burton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Burton was 52. 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. Burton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burton was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Burton had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% 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.
His people
Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Burton among them.
Military Service
Burton Lee Brewer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Burton Lee Brewer’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
