Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Carter was shot and killed when he and a Altus police officer attempted to stop a vehicle suspected of smuggling liquor into Oklahoma from Texas. At approximately 2100 hours the officers drove alongside of a truck, occupied by two brothers and another man, and ordered them to pull over. One of the brothers in the truck opened fire, striking both officers. Deputy Carter returned fire seriously wounding the gunman. The brothers were arrested a short time later when they were found at a local hospital. The other suspect was captured the next day. Deputy Carter crawled from his patrol car to a nearby farm where he died a short time later. The Altus officer, who was shot in the head, recovered from his wounds but was left blind. The gunman was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 15, 1930. He was paroled on September 12, 1938. His brother was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. The other suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years.
Survivors
Deputy Carter was survived by his wife and two young daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Carter served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Altus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Carter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elmer L. Carter is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer L. Carter's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer L. Carter Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1938
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer L. Carter is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer L. Carter was killed by gun; unknown type.