Max G. Straub
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Max G. Straub

Felonious
End of Watch May 2, 1973
Age 25
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 111 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Max Straub was killed by a man he was transporting to the Western State Hospital at Fort Supply. The man had committed himself and was being transported to the hospital when he somehow seized the deputy's .357 magnum pistol and shot him three times, including one near the left ear with powder burns and one in the left chest with powder burns. Witnesses observed the occupants of the patrol car wrestling in the front seat. The vehicle rolled into a ditch and stopped. The suspect exited the car and got on the driver's side, pushing something towards the passenger side and driving off. The vehicle was found about 3/4ths of a mile down the road, and the suspect was walking along the side of the road. The 25-year-old suspect was sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Straub had served with the Kiowa County Sheriff's Office for five months and previously served with the Mangum Police Department for over three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, mother, father, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-4E059D01
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 Straub gave the Kiowa County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hobart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Straub.

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

Agency

Location Hobart, OK
Platform Identity kcso.kiowa.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 2, 1973
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Deputy Sheriff Max G. Straub 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 Kiowa County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Kiowa County Sheriff's Office
3
of 4 officers
75% Felonious
OK — Statewide
403
of 582 officers
69.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Max G. Straub's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Max G. Straub Compares

Age at End of Watch
25
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Max G. Straub is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Max G. Straub was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location