Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Gibson was shot and killed during a jailbreak from the jail in Nowata. Three prisoners had overpowered the Sheriff and took his gun. Hearing the commotion, Deputy Gibson walked into the jail and was shot and killed by the suspects. The three prisoners were captured within hours and two of them were hung in the town square that night by the townspeople.
Survivors
Deputy Gibson had been in law enforcement for 20 years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-75A0498F- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Gibson gave the Nowata County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nowata community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gibson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James P. Gibson 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 Nowata County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. James P. Gibson's cause is highlighted.
How James P. Gibson Compares
Offender Outcome
Hung
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. Gibson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. Gibson was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nowata County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
