Vernon Brake
Agency patch
Trooper

Vernon Brake

Oklahoma Highway Patrol — Oklahoma City, OK
Accident
End of Watch April 8, 2026
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Badge Not available
The Vigil Panel 227 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Vernon Brake was killed in a head-on vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City shortly before noon.

A vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 35 between Britton and Heffner Roads swerved to avoid debris in the road and crossed into the northbound lanes, hitting Trooper Brake's patrol car.

Trooper Brake, the driver, and her daughter were killed in the collision.

Trooper Brake had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for over 19 years.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and two children.

On behalf of Point 27, we would like to offer condolences for Trooper Vernon Brake. Please know we are eternally grateful for Vernon’s service and his ultimate sacrifice.

To honor Trooper Vernon Brake, Point 27 sent Thin Blue Line Dog Tag Necklaces, engraved with “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9, to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for Vernon’s partner and fellow troopers. Point 27 also sent Folded Flag Necklaces engraved with “Greater Love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 for Trooper Vernon Brake’s family.

Point 27 is a Non-Profit organization with a mission to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their families, with God’s Word inscribed on Shields of Strength jewelry.

We will never forget and we are forever grateful for Vernon.

Surviving Wife of Detective Jerry M. Rhodes, Dallas Police Department Retired

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-0266E044
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 13, 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 Vernon. 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.
Trooper Brake gave the Oklahoma Highway Patrol 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Brake.

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

Agency

Location Oklahoma City, OK
Platform Identity ohp.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 8, 2026
Tour of Duty 19 yrs
Badge Number Not available
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Trooper Vernon Brake is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In OK, 135 of 582 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 23.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7.8 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 17 of 39 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 43.6% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol
17
of 39 officers
43.6% Accident
OK — Statewide
135
of 582 officers
23.2% Accident
Nationwide
10,088
of 32,508 officers
31% Accident

National Cause Distribution

How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Vernon Brake's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Vernon Brake Compares

Years of Service
19
This officer
Avg for Accident: 9.1 years

When Accident Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Vernon Brake is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
820
Feb
730
Mar
748
Apr
707
May
847
Jun
795
Jul
897
Aug
937
Sep
913
Oct
925
Nov
872
Dec
897