Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Payne and an undercover narcotics agent were shot by the stepfather of a 17-year-old male they were attempting to arrest on a marijuana charge at his home about 1:30 a.m. The stepfather fired five rounds from a snub-nosed .38-caliber pistol, fatally wounding Deputy Payne and striking the narcotics agent in the chin and left hand. The stepfather was wounded in the side by the narcotics agent who fired from the doorway of the residence as he was seeking cover. The 17-year-old fled out the back door when the shooting began. He surrendered to authorities about 9:30 a.m. after a massive eight-hour search of the Burns Flat industrial district. The stepfather was arrested and charged with murdering Deputy Payne. He testified that he thought Deputy Payne was an armed intruder in his home that night and cited the fact that the deputy had a beard and long hair. The prosecution countered that Deputy Payne was dressed in uniform. The suspect was acquitted by a jury.
Survivors
Deputy Payne was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-4A5324BE- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Payne served with the Washita County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cordell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Payne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Clifford Phillip Payne 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 Washita County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifford Phillip Payne's cause is highlighted.
How Clifford Phillip Payne Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifford Phillip Payne is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifford Phillip Payne was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Washita County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
