Roll of Honor
Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr.
Incident
Assistant Chief Chris Whitson was shot and killed while investigating reports of a stolen vehicle at a bar north of Seminole. As Assistant Chief Whitson walked up to the vehicle one of two men inside opened fire and shot him several times. One suspect surrendered to police in Shawnee two days later. He admitted that he was the shooter. His accomplice was apprehended two weeks later in Pensacola, Florida. Both suspects, ages 21 and 22, were convicted of Assistant Chief Whitson's murder and sentenced to life. The shooter died in prison in early 1960s. His accomplice was paroled June 9, 1961. In November of 1962 he was returned to prison for robbing a supermarket in Hennessay, Oklahoma. He was released March 7, 1969.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-D93D37F4- 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.
Assistant Chief of Police Whitson served with the Seminole Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Seminole community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Whitson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Assistant Chief of Police Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr. 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 Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher Columbus Whitson, Sr. was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Seminole Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
