Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Henry Harper was shot and killed as he and a justice of the peace escorted two prisoners to jail. Both were found asleep in a local school. The car they were driving was stolen. One of the men asked to retrieve his coat and was given permission to do so.
When he grabbed his coat he pulled a revolver from it and shot Deputy Harper twice. The justice of the peace, shot and wounded, was able to return fire. Both suspects were apprehended. One had recently escaped from the Wyoming Penitentiary where he was serving a 10 year sentence. On January 22, 1920, one suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Three days later, the Wyoming fugitive, Deputy Harper's killer, escaped from the Jackson County Jail in Altus along with the brother of the one just convicted. On June 10, 1920, both were surrounded by a posse at a home on Commerce Street in Altus. As they made a break for freedom both were shot and seriously wounded. The gunman was later convicted of Deputy Harper's murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Harper was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Harper was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OK-0ED55AE4- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Harper served with the Harmon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hollis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Henry L. Harper 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. Henry L. Harper's cause is highlighted.
How Henry L. Harper Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry L. Harper is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry L. Harper was killed by handgun.