John Cross
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

John Cross

Felonious
End of Watch March 30, 1927
Age 40
The Vigil Panel 52 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Cross was shot and killed during a traffic stop of a vehicle between Seminole and Wewoka. One of the three occupants produced a handgun and shot Deputy Cross in the abdomen twice. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day

One suspect was apprehended the next day and identified by Deputy Cross before he died of his injuries. A second suspect was apprehended a few days later. On May 11, 1927, the one Deputy Cross identified was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On December 2, 1931, he received an eight month parole. On June 8, 1932, his received a full parole. The third suspect was shot and critically wounded by police officers in Francis, Oklahoma, on May 22, 1927.

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 83rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya mother of falen officer Larry Lasater March 30th, 2010

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-876956E4
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 Cross served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cross.

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

Agency

Location Wewoka, OK
Platform Identity scso.seminole.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 30, 1927
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 1931

Deputy Sheriff John Cross 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 Seminole County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.

Seminole County Sheriff's Office
6
of 7 officers
85.7% 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. John Cross'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 John Cross Compares

Age at End of Watch
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1931

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Cross is highlighted in Mar.

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. John Cross was killed by handgun.

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