Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Meeks was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant. At about 8 p.m. he was assisting a Kiowa County deputy sheriff in serving an arrest warrant on a 19-year-old man for burglary. As the deputies approached the house the young man's father opened fire on the deputies, wounding both. Deputy Meeks was shot in the head and chest. The Kiowa deputy was critically wounded. The target of the arrest warrant dragged the wounded Kiowa deputy to safety and called police and medical assistance. The Kiowa County deputy survived his wounds. The 56-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on Dec. 11, 1967. He was denied parole in 1975.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Meeks gave the Washita County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cordell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meeks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Cleo Meeks 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 Washita County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cleo Meeks's cause is highlighted.
How Cleo Meeks Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cleo Meeks is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cleo Meeks was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Washita County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
