Brian Jeffery Tunnell
Patrolman

Brian Jeffery Tunnell

Miami Police Department — Miami, OK
Felonious
End of Watch June 5, 1988
Age 27
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 133 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman B.J. Tunnell was shot and killed while serving a felony warrant with another officer at the Elms Motel in Miami. During a struggle between both officers and the subject, the man grabbed the other officer's weapon and shot Patrolman Tunnell. The suspect fled the room. The other officer took Patrolman Tunnell's weapon, was able to return fire, and fatally wound the suspect. Patrolman Tunnell was transported to Francis Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Patrolman Tunnell had served with the Miami Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, his parents, and six brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-0897F76D
Stewardship
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Tunnell gave the Miami Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tunnell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Miami, Ottawa County, OK
Platform Identity mpd.ottawa.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 5, 1988
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Brian Jeffery Tunnell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Miami Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Miami Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
OK — Statewide
403
of 582 officers
69.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian Jeffery Tunnell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Brian Jeffery Tunnell Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian Jeffery Tunnell is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian Jeffery Tunnell was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Miami Police Department are honored on badge.nw.