Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Tate succumbed to gunshot wounds received three days earlier near Oswalt while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for obtaining money on false pretense. Deputy Tate went to the home of the man's uncle to serve the warrant. The uncle opened the door and as Deputy Tate walked inside the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Tate in the abdomen. Deputy Tate managed to return fire hitting the suspect in both hands. He was apprehended a few days later and charged with murder. Just before his trial was to begin he escaped from the county jail. On April 6, 1919, he and his brother were captured by the Love County sheriff. His brother was wanted for another murder and had been at large for three years.
Deputy Tate's killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to 7 years. He was paroled in 1921. On July 21, 1921, he and two other men were arrested for hitting a man in the head with a rock, causing him to be hospitalized in critical condition. They managed to escape from the arresting officers, but later were overtaken by a posse at the Texas state line. His parole was revoked and he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Deputy Tate was survived by his wife and five brothers.
Survivors
Deputy Tate was survived by his wife and five brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-47748594- 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 Tate served with the Love County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marietta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter Tate 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 Love County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Tate's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Tate Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Tate is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Tate was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Love County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
