Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Oswell Rowden and Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall of the Payne County Sheriff's Office were killed after a prisoner they were transporting caused them to crash their vehicle. The two officers were transporting two prisoners to the Payne County Jail when one of the prisoners climbed over the front seat and attacked them. The vehicle crashed during the ensuing struggle. and both officers were killed in the accident. The suspect was convicted of murder but was paroled in the 1970s. Chief Rowden had been the chief since 1961 and had served with the Cushing Police Department since 1949.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-0FE5BDCA- 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.
Chief of Police Rowden gave the Cushing Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cushing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Rowden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Oswell Ovid "Joe" Rowden 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 Cushing Police Department, 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. Oswell Ovid "Joe" Rowden's cause is highlighted.
How Oswell Ovid "Joe" Rowden Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1970s
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oswell Ovid "Joe" Rowden is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oswell Ovid "Joe" Rowden was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cushing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
