Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Palmer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three armed robbery suspects. When he encountered the suspects he ordered them to put their hands up. Two of the men complied by the third opened fire with a handgun, striking Constable Palmer in the neck.
The suspect was apprehended in Seminole County on February 4, 1929, convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Pumpkin Center is a small town located in Seminole County.
Constable Palmer had been in law enforcement for nearly 40 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-1771BEF2- 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 David. 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
40 years. You could have gone home.
Constable Palmer gave the Pumpkin Center Police Department 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Palmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable David Thomas "Bud" Palmer 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. David Thomas "Bud" Palmer's cause is highlighted.
How David Thomas "Bud" Palmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Thomas "Bud" Palmer is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Thomas "Bud" Palmer was killed by handgun.