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Incident
Sheriff Clarence Phillips was shot and killed in his office in retaliation for his efforts to combat illegal liquor in the county.
He told friends a few days before he was killed that bootleggers told him they would pay him $200 a week to let them have their way. When he refused, he said they told him they would kill him.
He was shot four times after answering a knock on his office door in the county courthouse.
Three men, including a former deputy, who fired the four shots, whom Sheriff Phillips had fired, were arrested and charged with his murder. All three were sentenced to life. The former deputy escaped from Granite Prison on August 14, 1932, and surrendered to Beckman County officials on December 14, 1933. Another was paroled on April 7, 1936. The third was given a year's leave of absence in 1945 and paroled in 1946.
Sheriff Phillips had served as Sheriff of Beckham County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two brothers and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Phillips gave the Beckham County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sayre community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clarence is the only officer of Beckham County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Clarence is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence 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
Clarence was 48. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Clarence had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Clarence was 48. 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. Clarence had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Beckham 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
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