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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Reed was shot and killed seven miles south of Okemah as he attempted to arrest a man who had threatened to kill several Indian youths.
The man had been looking for his estranged wife and other family members but could not find them. He encountered the youths and asked if they knew where the women were. When the youths responded that they didn't know the man brandished a handgun and threatened to kill them.
The boys drove to Deputy Reed's home and told of him the incident. Deputy Reed then picked up another deputy and then drove to the area where they located the man sitting in his car. As they approached him the man opened fire, mortally wounding Deputy Reed. Both Deputy Reed and the other deputy returned fire as the man fled on foot from the vehicle. The man was shot several times and killed.
Deputy Reed had served with the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office for at least 15 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
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Reed gave the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Okemah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 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
Charles was 36. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Charles had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 36. 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. Charles had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
