Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sewell was shot and killed by two youths he was transporting to the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, Oklahoma. While he was taking off his coat one of the prisoners grabbed his gun and shot him twice.
One suspect was apprehended the next day in Tulsa. The other suspect was apprehended ten days later in Marshall, Arkansas. Both accused the other of firing the fatal shot. Both were convicted of Deputy Sewell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was paroled in 1947 and the other in 1962.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-DB7D13D0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Sewell gave the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sewell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James A. Sewell 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%.
At Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Sewell's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Sewell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Sewell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
