Prev
Incident
Chief of Police Bruce Rainey was shot and thrown into a crevice where he died from his wounds. Chief Rainey was supervising the painting of lines on the streets of Weatherford on June 23rd, 1941. At 9:30 p.m. his car was found abandoned about a mile west of the city on Route 66. The keys were missing, however, a shotgun and police whistle were found inside. Chief Rainey was nowhere to be found. A massive search effort began. About noon on July 3rd, 1941, Chief Rainey’s body was found in a rock crevice three miles southwest of Weatherford. An autopsy report indicated blunt force trauma on the left side of his head causing a fractured skull, and three bullet wounds to the head which apparently occurred after he had been thrown in the rock crevice. His billfold was still on his body, but missing were his keys, gun, and watch. The shooter was caught during a routine police arrest on June 29th, 1941. A Chickasha man was charged with burglary and illegal possession of a pistol. A fingerprint expert happened to see the pistol and remarked it was the same make and model as the one that killed Chief Rainey. Tests proved the pistol was in fact the same weapon used to murder Chief Rainey. He was convicted of murder on October 1st, 1941, and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in the spring of 1973.
Survivors
Chief Rainey was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn8ssathhp7x6s7h184v- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bruce. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Rainey served with the Weatherford Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Weatherford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Rainey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bruce is the only officer of Weatherford Police Department remembered here.
Bruce is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bruce was 32. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Bruce was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Bruce was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Weatherford Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Weatherford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.