Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Armstrong was shot and killed as he and another constable attempted to serve court papers on a man for an unpaid debt. The constables were ordered to collect $7.10 or confiscate the man's car. When they confronted the man, he went into his house, retrieved a shotgun, and shot Constable Armstrong in the chest.
A month later the suspect, 39, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Constable Armstrong had served with the Tecumseh Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-F3DA4043- 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.
Constable Armstrong gave the Tecumseh Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tecumseh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Armstrong.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John A. Armstrong 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 Tecumseh 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. John A. Armstrong's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Armstrong Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Armstrong is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Armstrong was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tecumseh Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
