Incident
Trooper James Hayes suffered a fatal heart attack after arresting a drunk driver on Admiral and 200th East Avenue in Tulsa at 11 PM.
The subject became combative, and backup was called. Trooper Hayes was able to take control of the subject and placed him in the back of the patrol vehicle. When Trooper Hayes returned to the front seat, he suffered a heart attack. Despite life-saving measures by a Rogers County deputy, Trooper Hayes was pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
Trooper Hayes had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Hayes gave the Oklahoma Highway Patrol 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Hayes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Oklahoma Highway Patrol has lost 39 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 21 officers lost to cardiac events in OK, 3.6% of the 582 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 1 officer in OK was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 2.
In 1988, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1988, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 54. Of the 19 lost to cardiac events in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 54.5; the middle age was 47. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
James was 54. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 54. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 9.5% of these deaths in OK; January holds the most, 19%. Sundays: 14.3%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 5.1% of all 39 deaths at Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Oklahoma Highway Patrol has 39 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Sam R. Henderson
May 7, 1941
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James A. Long
Jul 12, 1942
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Theo Cobb
Jun 24, 1951
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Johnnie Whittle
Sep 14, 1953
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John Richard Barter
Jan 29, 1959
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Howard M. Crumley
Jun 28, 1970
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Larry Bruce Smith
Jan 29, 1971
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William James Walker
Feb 17, 1971
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Robert Eugene Ake
Sep 18, 1972
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Thomas F. Isbell
Dec 21, 1972
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J. C. Magar
Jun 29, 1975
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Larry Verne Crabtree
Apr 4, 1977
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Cell C. Howell
Apr 27, 1977
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James Pat Grimes
May 26, 1978
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Billy G. Young
May 26, 1978
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Houston F. Summers
May 26, 1978
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Rondal Ray Alexander
Jul 3, 1978
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Richard Dean Oldaker
Jul 3, 1978
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Kenny Lee Osborn
Jul 13, 1978
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Kenneth Dean Strang
Mar 1, 1980
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Edward A. Elliott
Aug 22, 1980
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Travis Leon Bench
Oct 5, 1983
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Guy David Nalley
Oct 27, 1984
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James A. Hayes
Jul 10, 1988
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Randy Joe Littlefield
Jan 15, 1990
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Duane Lee Grundy
Apr 11, 1990
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Joseph Earl Nicolle
Jul 26, 1990
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David Warner Eales
Sep 24, 1999
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Matthew Scott Evans
Aug 31, 2000
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Christopher Michael Van Krevelen
Nov 28, 2002
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Nikky Joe Green
Dec 26, 2003
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Steven Roy Smith
Feb 9, 2006
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William Lloyd McClendon
Oct 1, 2006
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George C. Green, Jr.
Oct 26, 2010
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Nicholas Glenn Dees
Jan 31, 2015
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Donald Heath Meyer
Jul 24, 2017
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Daniel Boyd Martin
Apr 23, 2018
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Jeffery Wade Sewell
Sep 26, 2020
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Vernon Brake
Apr 8, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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