Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police John Jones was shot and killed by three prisoners as they escaped from the Oklahoma County Jail. The men had overpowered the jailer after pistols had been smuggled to them. Once outside the jail, the subjects attempted to commandeer a wagon. When Chief Jones arrived, gunfire was exchanged. Chief Jones was shot and killed along with one escapee. The other two men escaped and were never apprehended. One of the men who fled to Arizona was involved in the murder of Deputy Collector Frank Robson of the United States Customs Service on August 12th, 1896. The other two had murdered Deputy Sheriff Will Turner, of the Pottawattomie County Sheriff's Office on April 27th, 1895. It is believed that the same group was also involved in the killing of Deputy Sheriff Sam Farris of the Canadian County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Office on May 23rd, 1894. Chief Jones had served as chief for 13 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-ED2C56DF- 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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Jones gave the Oklahoma City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John Milton Jones 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 Oklahoma City Police Dept., 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Milton Jones's cause is highlighted.
How John Milton Jones Compares
Offender Outcome
One killed; Two escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Milton Jones is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Milton Jones was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Oklahoma City Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
