Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thomas Adkins was shot and killed while investigating a prowler call at 11:00 p.m. When he arrived at the scene he discovered a pickup truck with a camper shell on the back. As he approached the vehicle, a suspect inside fired a shotgun, striking Marshal Adkins in the back. The suspect fled to his grandfather's home in Schulter, Oklahoma, where he was located by Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree of the Henryetta Police Department and the Henryetta police chief. As the two officers approached the house, the suspect shot them as well, fatally wounding Auxiliary Officer Hembree. The suspect then shot and killed Deputy Burton Brewer of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department before being shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned, and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in June of 2016. As of October 22. In 2022, he was in prison. Marshal Adkins was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Dewar Police Department for two weeks. He had previously served as marshal for Dustin (Oklahoma), Kiowa (Oklahoma), and Yam Hill (Oregon).
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, two stepdaughters, two stepsons, and 13 grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-1F82C28A- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
City Marshal Adkins served with the Dewar Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dewar community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas C. Adkins, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
City Marshal Thomas C. Adkins, Jr. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas C. Adkins, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas C. Adkins, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas C. Adkins, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas C. Adkins, Jr. was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.