Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Dwight Woodrell was shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity outside Spess Oil Company in Cleveland, Oklahoma, at approximately 3:00 a.m.
He and other officers had completed a search warrant for an unrelated case when the sheriff decided to check on the business. While on the scene, he radioed for backup, and when other units arrived, they found him in his patrol car with five to six gunshot wounds. He was still conscious and was able to give the officers a description and possible name of a suspect before succumbing to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Two suspects were charged with murdering Sheriff Woodrell. The two had been arrested on unrelated charges and were charged while in jail. The primary suspect was sentenced to life in prison.
Sheriff Woodrell had served with the Pawnee County Sheriff's Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-40CBADE3- 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.
Sheriff Woodrell gave the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Woodrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Dwight Calvin Woodrell, Jr. 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 Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dwight Calvin Woodrell, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Dwight Calvin Woodrell, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dwight Calvin Woodrell, Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dwight Calvin Woodrell, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Pawnee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
