Roll of Honor
Incident
Assistant Marshal Joe Hartman and Marshal William James were shot and killed by a suspect who had been arrested for being drunk in public.
While at city hall, the suspect struck Marshal James in the head and escaped. He went home, obtained a 12 gauge shotgun, and returned to the city hall, where he shot and killed both officers.
The suspect was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 1974 but recommended for parole a year later.
Assistant Marshal Hartman was a United States Army World War II veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-6EC51F32- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Assistant Marshal Hartman served with the Texhoma Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Texhoma community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joe Dale Hartman served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Assistant Marshal Joe Dale Hartman is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 15.3 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Texhoma Police Department, 2 of 3 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. Joe Dale Hartman's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Dale Hartman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Dale Hartman is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe Dale Hartman was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Military Service
Joe Dale Hartman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joe Dale Hartman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Texhoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
