Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Middleton and Deputy Sheriff George Miller were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man in a cafe.
As the deputies entered the cafe, the suspect saw them and opened fire with a handgun, striking each deputy three times. Deputy Miller succumbed to his wounds at the scene, and Deputy Middleton succumbed to his wounds the following day.
The suspect immediately surrendered to local officials. On September 29, 1923, he claimed self-defense and was acquitted.
Deputy Middleton, a U.S. Army veteran, had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Army veteran, had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-D8E3ECE7- 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
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.
Deputy Sheriff Middleton gave the Kay County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newkirk 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
John Middleton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff John Middleton 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 Kay County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Middleton's cause is highlighted.
How John Middleton Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Middleton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Middleton was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
