W. H. Aston

Oklahoma Department of Corrections — Oklahoma City, OK

Felonious

End of Watch August 4, 1948

Age 65

The Vigil Panel 84 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 18

Incident

Correctional Officer W.H. Aston succumbed to head injuries received six days earlier when he was attacked by an inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. He observed the inmate extending a mirror from his solitary confinement cell and went to take it away. When he opened the cell door, the inmate attacked him and beat his head against the floor, cell door, and bars. The attack was stopped by other officers, and Officer Aston was taken to a local hospital. He initially refused treatment but was readmitted the following day when his condition worsened. He succumbed to his wounds on August 4, 1948. The inmate, who was serving a 10-year sentence for auto theft, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on October 10, 1948. In 1974 the Oklahoma parole board recommended his release, and he was paroled a few months later. In 1983 he was returned to prison for second-degree burglary and returned again in 1987 for larceny. He was paroled for the third time on May 25, 1988.

Survivors

He was a widower who was survived by his daughter, two sons, three brothers, three sisters, and two granddaughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-DD75202E
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew W.. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Aston served with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Aston.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Location Oklahoma City, OK

Platform Identity odcorr.oklahoma.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 4, 1948

Age 65

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Paroled

Correctional Officer W. H. Aston 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 Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 14 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.7% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

of 19 officers

73.7% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious