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Incident
Captain Homer Spaulding succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 10 days earlier when he and two other officers were engaged in a shootout with six members of the Barker-Karpis Gang.
The officers stopped to assist six men working on a stalled car at 3:30 a.m. Two of the men suddenly pulled out handguns and opened fire, mortally wounding Captain Spaulding and wounding one of the other officers. One suspect was also shot and killed.
Captain Spaulding had served with the Okmulgee Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and son.
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.
Captain Spaulding gave the Okmulgee Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Okmulgee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Spaulding.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Okmulgee Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Homer is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Homer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Homer 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 1922, 13 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Homer was 45. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Homer had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Homer was 45. 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. Homer had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Homer was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Homer had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Okmulgee Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% 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
Okmulgee Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Homer among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Okmulgee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
