Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Waldo Williams and Chief of Police Irvin Gossett, of the Duncan City Police Department, were shot and killed when they and several other officers attempted to stop a vehicle wanted for a local service station robbery.
At 10:30 p.m., Sheriff Williams and Chief Gossett stopped the vehicle on Highway 81, about 2 1/2 miles south of the Marlow Junction and six miles north of Duncan. The occupants, four brothers ages 19 to 27, exited the vehicle and opened fire. Sheriff Williams was killed at the scene, and Chief Gossett succumbed to his wounds five months later.
One of the suspects was shot and killed at the scene, and two others were wounded, one critically. The fourth suspect was apprehended in Gunnison, Colorado, a few days later. It was discovered that during the past year, all four had committed several bank robberies in Oklahoma and Kansas.
All three were convicted of Sheriff Williams' murder and sentenced to life. One died in prison in 1932. The one who was critically wounded was paralyzed for life and paroled soon afterwards. He and his parents were killed in an automobile crash near Goodlett, Texas, in 1948. The fourth suspect took part in a riot and prison escape on May 13, 1936, in which Prison Guard Charles Powell was killed. He was paroled on May 3, 1949, only to be sent back ten months later for armed robbery.
Sheriff Williams had served with the Stephens County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-F5ACEDA4- 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.
Sheriff Williams gave the Stephens County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Duncan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Waldo A. Williams 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 Stephens County Sheriff's Office, 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. Waldo A. Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Waldo A. Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Waldo A. Williams is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Waldo A. Williams was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stephens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
