Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Cantrell was shot and killed while assisting another deputy check two people in a car near Sulphur. Deputy Cantrell, who was at home at the time, brought his two teenage sons along with him when he went to the scene. As Deputy Cantrell stepped out of his car a man in the backseat of the suspicious car opened fire with a 20-gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Cantrell in the chest. The other deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspect. The suspect fled to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was shot and killed after wounding a motorcycle patrolman.
Survivors
Deputy Cantrell was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-55F2670C- Stewardship
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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 Cantrell served with the Murray County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sulphur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cantrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Mathew "Red" Cantrell 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Mathew "Red" Cantrell's cause is highlighted.
How John Mathew "Red" Cantrell Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Mathew "Red" Cantrell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Mathew "Red" Cantrell was killed by shotgun; 20 gauge.