Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Ed Eshelman was shot and killed by two men he was arresting for car theft.
He had been alerted to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle from Ponca City. He waited near the Pawnee Mercantile Building and stopped the car when it approached. One of the passengers fled on foot but Watchman Eshelman was able to get on the running board and had one of the men drive to the Pawnee County Jail. When he ordered the men to exit the vehicle, one of the men shot him in the abdomen.
Despite the wounds, he returned fire while the men fled. He was rushed to the hospital but died on the operating table.
Two of the men were apprehended.
Night Watchman Eshelman had served with the Pawnee Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-DFE4250A- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Eshelman served with the Pawnee Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Eshelman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Edward Adam Eshelman 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. Edward Adam Eshelman's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Adam Eshelman Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Adam Eshelman is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Adam Eshelman was killed by handgun; revolver.