Gary Lee Ward

Oklahoma City Police Dept. — Oklahoma City, OK

Felonious

End of Watch February 2, 1985

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 129 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 32

Incident

Detective Gary Ward was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a motel burglary suspect at 39th Street and Portland in Oklahoma City. As the two struggled in the hotel courtyard, the burglar gained control of Detective Ward's service revolver. Detective Ward was shot to death with his own weapon. The suspect fled the scene and was arrested several days later. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison. He has a parole hearing in December 2016. In January 2014, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the suspect could have a new trial after a key witness recanted his testimony. Detective Ward was filling in that evening for his brother-in-law, who was ill. He had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for 14 years, assigned to the automobile theft division.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-2B4AECCF
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Ward gave the Oklahoma City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ward.

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

Agency

Department Oklahoma City Police Dept.

Location Oklahoma City, OK

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

Service Record

End of Watch February 2, 1985

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 199 years in prison

Detective Gary Lee Ward 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 City Police Dept., 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma City Police Dept.

of 33 officers

60.6% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious