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Incident
Trooper Billy Young, Trooper Houston Summers, and Lieutenant James Grimes were shot and killed while attempting to apprehend two escapees who were wanted for seven murders since their escape. Troopers Young and Summers were shot and killed while on a roving patrol of a county road when they came across the suspects in a recently stolen truck. Both troopers were killed in the ensuing gun battle. Lieutenant Grimes and his partner were being directed into the area by aircraft when they too were ambushed. Lieutenant Grimes was killed in the ensuing gun battle, and his partner was wounded. Both suspects were eventually shot and killed by other officers at the scene. Trooper Young had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a grandchild.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Young gave the Oklahoma Highway Patrol 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Young.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oklahoma Highway Patrol has lost 39 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Billy is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Billy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Billy 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 1978, 3 officers at Oklahoma Highway Patrol were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Billy was 51. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Oklahoma Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 43; the middle age was 37. Billy had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Billy was 51. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Billy had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Billy was 51. 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. Billy had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Billy was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Billy had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 21.1% of these deaths at Oklahoma Highway Patrol, more than any other month. Fridays: 26.3%.
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 48.7% of all 39 deaths at Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 26.3% 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
Oklahoma Highway Patrol has 39 officers remembered here, Billy among them.
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Sam R. Henderson
May 7, 1941
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James A. Long
Jul 12, 1942
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Theo Cobb
Jun 24, 1951
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Johnnie Whittle
Sep 14, 1953
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John Richard Barter
Jan 29, 1959
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Howard M. Crumley
Jun 28, 1970
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Larry Bruce Smith
Jan 29, 1971
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William James Walker
Feb 17, 1971
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Robert Eugene Ake
Sep 18, 1972
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Thomas F. Isbell
Dec 21, 1972
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J. C. Magar
Jun 29, 1975
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Larry Verne Crabtree
Apr 4, 1977
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Cell C. Howell
Apr 27, 1977
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James Pat Grimes
May 26, 1978
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Billy G. Young
May 26, 1978
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Houston F. Summers
May 26, 1978
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Rondal Ray Alexander
Jul 3, 1978
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Richard Dean Oldaker
Jul 3, 1978
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Kenny Lee Osborn
Jul 13, 1978
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Kenneth Dean Strang
Mar 1, 1980
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Edward A. Elliott
Aug 22, 1980
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Travis Leon Bench
Oct 5, 1983
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Guy David Nalley
Oct 27, 1984
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James A. Hayes
Jul 10, 1988
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Randy Joe Littlefield
Jan 15, 1990
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Duane Lee Grundy
Apr 11, 1990
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Joseph Earl Nicolle
Jul 26, 1990
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David Warner Eales
Sep 24, 1999
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Matthew Scott Evans
Aug 31, 2000
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Christopher Michael Van Krevelen
Nov 28, 2002
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Nikky Joe Green
Dec 26, 2003
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Steven Roy Smith
Feb 9, 2006
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William Lloyd McClendon
Oct 1, 2006
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George C. Green, Jr.
Oct 26, 2010
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Nicholas Glenn Dees
Jan 31, 2015
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Donald Heath Meyer
Jul 24, 2017
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Daniel Boyd Martin
Apr 23, 2018
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Jeffery Wade Sewell
Sep 26, 2020
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Vernon Brake
Apr 8, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Oklahoma Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
