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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Adam Heitman died from a medical emergency after apprehending a fleeing felon during an arrest attempt.
The Creek County Sheriff’s Office Task Force, the United States Marshals Service, Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police, and Creek County Sheriff's Office deputies were serving a warrant on a suspect wanted on multiple felony warrants. On July 7, the suspect had fled law enforcement during a traffic stop and had been charged with assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.
When officers attempted to arrest the suspect, he fled. Deputy Heitman, with his K9 partner, Thanos, pursued the suspect over a fence, across a creek, and through a field, apprehending the suspect.
Back at the Creek County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Heitman suffered a medical emergency less than an hour after the arrest. Despite attempts at life-saving measures, he passed away that evening at Ascension St. John Sapulpa Hospital.
The suspect, a convicted felon with prior escape convictions and a long criminal record, has a pending DUI case, a deferred sentence in a 2014 drug case, charges for assault and battery, and escape from arrest.
Deputy Heitman was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Creek County Sheriff's Office for four years. He previously served with the Kiefer Police Department.
Survivors
Deputy Heitman was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Creek County Sheriff's Office for four years. He previously served with the Kiefer Police Department. Survivors include his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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 - 1 candle.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Adam is one person.
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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 Heitman gave the Creek County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sapulpa 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
Adam Heitman served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Creek County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Adam is one of 21 officers lost to illness in OK, 3.6% of the 582 remembered there.
Adam is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Adam 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 2026, 1 officer in OK was lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 8.
In 2026, 10 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 22nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2026, 10 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 44th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Adam was 38. Of the 21 lost to illness in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 57; the middle age was 52. Adam had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Adam was 38. 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. Adam had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Adam was 38. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Adam had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
July holds 4.8% of these deaths in OK; August holds the most, 23.8%. Wednesdays: 23.8%.
July holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
July holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Creek County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
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.
His people
Creek County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Adam among them.
Military Service
Adam Heitman served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Adam Heitman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Creek County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
