Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Warden D.C. Oates, Sergeant Fred Godfrey, and Correctional Officer Herman H. Drover were shot and killed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary by three prisoners who were attempting to escape. A former Oklahoma congressman visiting the prison was also killed and three others were shot and wounded.
No one seemed to know exactly how, but each of the three prisoners had obtained a revolver. As they ran towards the front gate they shot everyone they saw and begged other inmates to join them, but no other inmates did. As they reached the front gate and fled outside guards opened fire on the escapees, killing all three.
Deputy Warden Oates had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Warden Oates had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Warden Oates gave the Oklahoma Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Warden Oates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Warden D. C. Oates 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 Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 14 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. D. C. Oates's cause is highlighted.
How D. C. Oates Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. D. C. Oates is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. D. C. Oates was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Oklahoma Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
