Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Claude Ryan was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at a local warehouse at approximately 9:30 pm.
A local auto dealer manager saw Officer Ryan pass by and then heard a gunshot in an alley a few minutes later. Officer Ryan's body was found in the alley with a gunshot wound to the chest. The warehouse next to where Officer Ryan was found had been burglarized.
Four suspects were eventually apprehended. Three were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The fourth suspect was acquitted but held for authorities in Texas, Illinois, Montana, and Kansas for armed robberies and other crimes he committed. One who was sentenced, an associate of Pretty Boy Floyd, was released in 1933 because he had tuberculosis. Days later he robbed a bank in Topeka, Kansas, and then was shot when he and another man tried to kidnap a farmer. He lost his arm as a result of the shooting and was returned to the Oklahoma Penitentiary. In 1946 he was released again but soon returned after he burglarized a business in Dodge City, Kansas. In 1961, at age 61, he was released for the third time but arrested in 1968 by FBI agents for robbing a bank in Alvord,Texas, six months earlier. After serving a sentence in Texas he was killed in 1983 in a traffic accident in Tulsa. Another who was sentenced, the suspect who shot Officer Ryan, was an escapee from the Kansas Penitentiary.
Officer Ryan had served with the Okemah Police Department for four years.
My great grandfather was truly a hero. I learned more about this incident today. RIP and will meet you someday. Thank you for your service.
Kay Evans Great granddaughter March 4th, 2023
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OK-F3087B25- 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.
Officer Ryan gave the Okemah Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Okemah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Claude E. Ryan 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 Okemah Police Department, 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. Claude E. Ryan's cause is highlighted.
How Claude E. Ryan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude E. Ryan is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude E. Ryan was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Okemah Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
