Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Dennis was shot and killed as he and two other deputies attempted to arrest a murder suspect. The man produced a gun during the arrest and shot Deputy Dennis in the hip. Deputy Dennis bled to death a short time later.
Three days later the suspect was captured by a posse and brought to Wewoka where he was seized by an angry mob and hanged from a telegraph pole.
Deputy Dennis had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and was survived by his wife and seven children. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka, Seminole County, Oklahoma.
Survivors
Deputy Dennis had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-F6439238- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dennis gave the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dennis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Dennis 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 Seminole County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Dennis's cause is highlighted.
How John Dennis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Dennis is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Seminole County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
