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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas "Newt" Pearson was shot and killed near the railroad depot in Hoffman, Oklahoma, while attempting to arrest a man on a warrant.
During the arrest the suspect began to struggle with Deputy Pearson and attempted to grab his service revolver. In an attempt to prevent this, Deputy Pearson threw his revolver from the scene. The suspect ran after it and Deputy Pearson gave pursuit and another struggle ensued in which the suspect then threw the revolver away.
The suspect again grabbed the revolver and then ran from the scene. Deputy Pearson went for backup and got a shotgun. He and his backup then went in search of the suspect. When they found him they exchanged shots and Deputy Pearson was fatally struck in the head. The suspect was shot four times and died the following day.
Deputy Pearson was survived by his wife, two young sons, five brothers, and one sister.
Survivors
Deputy Pearson was survived by his wife, two young sons, five brothers, and one sister.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Pearson served with the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Eufala community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pearson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McIntosh County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1909, 14 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 43. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Thomas was 43. 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.
Thomas was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at McIntosh County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
McIntosh County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from McIntosh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
