Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Gaston succumbed to a gunshot wound received four years earlier while investigating a possible burglary in a rural part of Woodward County. Sheriff Gaston was responding to the scene at 2 pm when he observed the suspect's vehicle parked on the shoulder of State Highway 34 south of U.S. Highway 270. As Sheriff Gaston approached the car, the passenger exited and opened fire with a .38 caliber revolver, striking Sheriff Gaston in the chest. The sheriff was able to return fire and wound the suspect. The 23-year-old suspect was taken into custody, convicted of assault with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and sentenced to 144 years in prison. He was released on October 4, 2013. Sheriff Gaston had served with the Woodward County Sheriff's Office for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-245CA10B- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Sheriff Gaston gave the Woodward County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Woodward community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Gaston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Albert C. Gaston 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. Albert C. Gaston's cause is highlighted.
How Albert C. Gaston Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 2013
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert C. Gaston is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert C. Gaston was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.