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Incident
Captain Purdin died of injuries he received when he was involved in a motorcycle accident. Captain Purdin was escorting a funeral procession when his department motorcycle was stuck from behind by an automobile. Captain Purdin suffered a broken leg and a fractured thigh. Captain Purdin's leg did not heal and it had to be amputated. While he was recovering at a hospital a blood clot moved from his inured leg to his heart, killing him.
Captain Purdin had served with the Muskogee Police Department for 20 years and was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Captain Purdin had served with the Muskogee Police Department for 20 years and was survived by his wife and four 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Purdin gave the Muskogee Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Purdin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Muskogee Police Department has lost 8 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1957, 55 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 53. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 53. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 53. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 6.7% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 8 deaths at Muskogee Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Muskogee Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Muskogee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
