Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Doc Hands succumbed to an injury sustained the previous day when he was struck in the head while walking into the police station.
The former acting police chief had engaged Sergeant Hands in an argument in front of the station. The former chief held a grudge against Sergeant Hands as the result of testimony the sergeant made that contributed to the chief's dismissal from the force.
As Sergeant Hands walked back into the police station the former chief struck him in the head, causing him to fall to the floor. The chief then kicked him in the head. Sergeant Hands suffered a fractured skull as a result of the attack and died the following morning.
Sergeant Hands was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Sergeant Hands was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-2B805ACE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew J.. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Hands served with the Sapulpa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sapulpa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hands.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant J. A. Hands 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 Sapulpa Police Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. A. Hands's cause is highlighted.
How J. A. Hands Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. A. Hands is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. A. Hands was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Sapulpa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
