Prev Next
Gary Lee Ward
Agency patch
Detective

Gary Lee Ward

Oklahoma City Police Department — Oklahoma City, OK
Felonious
United States flag Oklahoma flag
End of Watch February 2, 1985
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
The Vigil Panel 286 · Column 1 · Line 4 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 32

Incident

Detective Gary Ward was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a motel burglary suspect at 39th Street and Portland in Oklahoma City. As the two struggled in the hotel courtyard, the burglar gained control of Detective Ward's service revolver. Detective Ward was shot to death with his own weapon. The suspect fled the scene and was arrested several days later. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison. He has a parole hearing in December 2016. In January 2014, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the suspect could have a new trial after a key witness recanted his testimony. Detective Ward was filling in that evening for his brother-in-law, who was ill. He had served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for 14 years, assigned to the automobile theft division.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnee1r5zm08vb91qd7qm
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 Gary. 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.
Detective Ward gave the Oklahoma City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ward.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Oklahoma City Police Department
Type Other
Location Oklahoma City, Canadian County, OK
Platform Identity opd.oklahoma.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 2, 1985
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Gary is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Gary had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Oklahoma City Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, Gary among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Gary Lee Ward

Oklahoma City Police Department · End of Watch February 2, 1985

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W

↑