Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Carl Starr was shot and killed while trying to arrest bootleggers two miles north of Collinsville.
Around 6:40 p.m., Deputy Starr and the sheriff stopped a wagon believed to contain alcohol transported from Kansas. While the sheriff spoke to one of the subjects and the driver at the front of the wagon, Deputy Starr went to the back. One of the men jumped out and shot Deputy Starr in the back. Then he went around to the front and fired at the sheriff, striking him in the arm, and shooting the horse. The horse fell on the sheriff, and despite returning fire, he was unable to hit the shooter, but he was able to keep his gun drawn on one of the other men. The shooter and the driver fled but were apprehended a few hours later.
The two suspects were sentenced to life in prison. The driver was not charged.
Deputy Starr had served in law enforcement for years, but had only started working with the Rogers County Sheriff's Office a few weeks before he was killed. His father had served as a judge of the Cherokee Nation, and his brother was the Sheriff of Tahlequah.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-BCE872C7- Stewardship
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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 Sheriff Starr served with the Rogers County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Claremore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Starr.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff George Colbert Starr 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 Rogers County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Colbert Starr's cause is highlighted.
How George Colbert Starr Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Colbert Starr is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Colbert Starr was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Rogers County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
