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Melvin Lewis Garrison Jr.
Incident
Game Warden Melvin Garrison drowned under suspicious circumstances in the Deep Fork River arm of Eufala Lake while on patrol for illegal duck hunters. After he failed to return home a search party located his body in three feet of water. His uniform was in disarray as if he had been in a struggle, and his shotgun was never found. However, no other evidence was ever located and his death was ruled as an accidental drowning. Game Warden Garrison had served with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Cosnervation for seven months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young 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.
Game Warden Garrison served with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Garrison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Melvin is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 3 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1971, 79 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1971, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melvin was 25. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Melvin had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 25. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 17.8%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has 3 officers remembered here, Melvin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are honored on badge.nw.
