Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Ratliff was shot and killed while he and several other officers attempted to restrain a crazed man. The suspect had been taken to the jail by a railroad detective but was released the following morning. Later in the morning the city marshal encountered the man again. Undersheriff Jason Daugherty went to assist the marshal but the man suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed him in the shoulder. Sheriff Ratliff and other deputies came to assist as well. The suspect was able to gain control of Sheriff Ratliff's weapon and shot him twice, killing him. Other officers continued to return fire, mortally wounding the suspect. Undersheriff Daugherty succumbed to his wounds two months later. Sheriff Ratliff was in his fourth term as sheriff.
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- 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.
Sheriff Ratliff served with the McClain County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Purcell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ratliff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John E. Ratliff 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 McClain County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Ratliff's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Ratliff Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Ratliff is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Ratliff was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McClain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
