Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Milstead, a clerk for the city animal shelter, was shot and critically wounded by a man following a dispute over a dog. The man left the shelter but returned and shot Officer Milstead. Officer Milstead died from his wounds almost six months later. The 23 year-old suspect was found to be insane and committed in a mental institution. He was released in 1963. In 1999 he and his wife were convicted of the first degree murder of their 2-year-old son and sentenced to life. In 2004 the Oklahoma Court of Appeals reversed his conviction. The state decided not to retry him and released him from prison. His wife's conviction was upheld.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OK-270875AA- Stewardship
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- 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 Milstead served with the Tulsa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Milstead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Thomas E. Milstead 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 Tulsa Police Department, 30 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas E. Milstead's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas E. Milstead Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas E. Milstead is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas E. Milstead was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Tulsa Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
