Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Ernst was shot and killed as he attempted to break up a game of craps. His killer was apprehended in Cushing on August 6, 1915. He was charged with murder and tried on March 7, 1916, but the outcome of the case is unknown.
Survivors
Deputy Ernst had been with agency for three years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-3611B6ED- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ernst gave the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ernst.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Ernst 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 Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Ernst's cause is highlighted.
How John Ernst Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Ernst is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
