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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Osie Gourd was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two robbery suspects. The suspects were wanted for robbing a service station ten days earlier. Deputy Gourd received information about the men's whereabouts, and he and two other deputies went to arrest them. As the deputies entered a tavern at State Highway 10 and Ben George Road, one of the suspects opened fire, striking Deputy Gourd in the abdomen. Deputy Gourd and the other deputies returned fire, striking the suspect a total of seven times with a rifle and shotgun. The suspect died at the scene. Deputy Gourd had served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Gourd gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tahlequah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gourd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Osie is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Osie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Osie is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Osie was 54. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Osie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Osie was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Osie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Osie was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Osie had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Osie among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.