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Incident
Detective David Sheehan, Corporal Ronnie Fox, and Narcotics Agent Billy Morgan were killed when their plane crashed into Jack Fork Mountain in southeastern Oklahoma. The officers were searching for marijuana fields at the time. Detective Sheehan had served with the McAlester Police Department for 3 1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Detective Sheehan gave the McAlester Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the McAlester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sheehan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
McAlester Police Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 3 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1981, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1981, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 28. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. David had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 28. 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. David had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 21.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at McAlester Police Department, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
McAlester Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from McAlester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
