Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Elmer "Buddie" Moorehead was shot and killed by a suspect near the viaduct on highway 70 east of Ardmore. Detective Moorehead had gone to the area to provide aid to a group of squatters looking to leave the area. Once there he came upon a suspicious vehicle with two suspects inside. As he questioned the men inside the Buick sedan, one of the suspects was able to disarm Detective Moorehead and ordered him into the car at gunpoint. The suspect drove off, leaving his companion behind. Shortly, thereafter Detective Moorehead was shot by the suspect holding a gun on him in the car. Detective Moorehead's body was discovered thrown from the car, which his attacker then drove away in. The suspect, who it was believed had been involved in a series of robberies when Detective Moorehead came upon him, fled the scene but was later shot and killed in Texas when he resisted arrest.
Survivors
Detective Moorhead had served with the agency for 18 months, and was survived by his wife, his infant son, his mother, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-2F11DC28- 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
You barely got started.
Detective Moorehead gave the Ardmore Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Ardmore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Moorehead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Elmer Moorehead 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 Ardmore Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer Moorehead's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer Moorehead Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer Moorehead is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer Moorehead was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Ardmore Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
