Incident
Officer Jack Gates was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery of a grocery store at 1412 North Robinson. The two suspects were captured several days later and sentenced to life in prison. One, age 28 at the time of his arrest, died in prison on October 26, 1949. Officer Gates had only served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for three weeks. His brother, Officer Douglas Gates, was shot and killed in the line of duty on December 3rd, 1933, while also serving with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-964D930A- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Gates 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, Officer Gates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John D. Gates 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John D. Gates's cause is highlighted.
How John D. Gates Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John D. Gates is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John D. Gates was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Oklahoma City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















