Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy James Wilson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men and two women who had robbed a bank in Elgin.
Deputy Wilson and officers from three jurisdictions had trailed two suspects to a farmhouse 11 miles outside of town. Deputy Wilson and two officers entered the house and were met by a hail of gunfire. Deputy Wilson was later found with 15 gunshot wounds. The other two deputies were wounded and the owner of the house, who was being held hostage, was shot and killed. The two male suspects, shot and wounded, were taken custody along with their two female companions.
During the previous week the same suspects shot and killed Policeman George Loper of the Pauls Valley Police Department while he was on his beat.
The two men were convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair June 10, 1937. One of the women was sentenced to five years and the other to 10 years for their participation in the bank robbery.
Deputy Wilson had been employed with the Grady County Sheriff's Office for six months, and is survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Wilson had been employed with the Grady County Sheriff's Office for six months, and is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-9AF63B3F- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wilson served with the Grady County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chickasha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James E. Wilson 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 Grady 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 E. Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How James E. Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1937
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Wilson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Wilson was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Grady County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
