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Incident
Chief of Police Oswell Rowden and Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall of the Payne County Sheriff's Office were killed after a prisoner they were transporting caused them to crash their vehicle. The two officers were transporting two prisoners to the Payne County Jail when one of the prisoners climbed over the front seat and attacked them. The vehicle crashed during the ensuing struggle. and both officers were killed in the accident. The suspect was convicted of murder but was paroled in the 1970s. Chief Rowden had been the chief since 1961 and had served with the Cushing Police Department since 1949.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Chief of Police Rowden gave the Cushing Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cushing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Rowden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cushing Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Oswell is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Oswell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oswell 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 1968, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oswell was 60. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Oswell had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Oswell was 60. 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. Oswell had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oswell was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oswell had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cushing Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.7% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Cushing Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Oswell among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cushing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
