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Incident
Sheriff Waldo Williams and Chief of Police Irvin Gossett, of the Duncan City Police Department, were shot and killed when they and several other officers attempted to stop a vehicle wanted for a local service station robbery.
At 10:30 p.m., Sheriff Williams and Chief Gossett stopped the vehicle on Highway 81, about 2 1/2 miles south of the Marlow Junction and six miles north of Duncan. The occupants, four brothers ages 19 to 27, exited the vehicle and opened fire. Sheriff Williams was killed at the scene, and Chief Gossett succumbed to his wounds five months later.
One of the suspects was shot and killed at the scene, and two others were wounded, one critically. The fourth suspect was apprehended in Gunnison, Colorado, a few days later. It was discovered that during the past year, all four had committed several bank robberies in Oklahoma and Kansas.
All three were convicted of Sheriff Williams' murder and sentenced to life. One died in prison in 1932. The one who was critically wounded was paralyzed for life and paroled soon afterwards. He and his parents were killed in an automobile crash near Goodlett, Texas, in 1948. The fourth suspect took part in a riot and prison escape on May 13, 1936, in which Prison Guard Charles Powell was killed. He was paroled on May 3, 1949, only to be sent back ten months later for armed robbery.
Sheriff Williams had served with the Stephens County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Williams gave the Stephens County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Duncan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stephens County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Waldo is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Waldo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Waldo 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 1930, 15 officers in OK were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Waldo was 61. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Waldo had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Waldo was 61. 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. Waldo had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Waldo was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Waldo had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Stephens County Sheriff's Office. 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Stephens County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Waldo among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stephens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.