James Dewey Chamblin

Oklahoma City Police Department — Oklahoma City, OK

Felonious

End of Watch April 15, 1974

The Vigil Panel 113 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 32

Incident

Patrolman Chamblin was shot and killed after he and his partner arrested two suspects at a hotel located at NE 6th Street and Harrison Street. As the officers escorted the two men to the patrol car one of the men produced a handgun and shot both officers, fatally wounding Patrolman Chamblin. His partner was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was taken into custody nearby. The suspect, 20, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on November 18, 1974. On September 5, 1980, he stabbed a fellow inmate to death and was sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied a parole in July of 2016. One parole officer told him, "the only way you can get out is die". He was in prison on October 21, 2022.

Survivors

Patrolman Chamblin was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-A0CE8955
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Chamblin served with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chamblin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oklahoma City Police Department

Type Other

Location Oklahoma City, OK

Platform Identity opd.oklahoma.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 15, 1974

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Patrolman James Dewey Chamblin 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 97,756 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 City Police Department, 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma City Police Department

of 33 officers

60.6% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious