Roll of Honor
Incident
Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree was shot and killed as he and the police chief attempted to arrest a man who had just shot and killed Marshal Thomas Adkins, of the Dewar Police Department. After killing Marshal Adkins the suspect fled to his grandfather's house where he was located by the two officers. The chief was also wounded in the shooting. The suspect then shot and killed Deputy Burton Brewer, of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department, before being shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He ha a parole hearing in June of 2016.
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- 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.
Auxiliary Officer Hembree served with the Henryetta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Henryetta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Officer Hembree.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Auxiliary Officer Walter Thomason Hembree 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. Walter Thomason Hembree's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Thomason Hembree Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Thomason Hembree is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Thomason Hembree was killed by shotgun.