Prev
Incident
Chief of Police R. N. Gilbreath succumbed to an accidental gunshot wound when his pistol fell from his holster.
Chief Gilbreath relieved the desk sergeant and went into an empty cell in the city jail to repair a chain that locked down unruly prisoners. The chief’s pistol fell from his holster and discharged. The bullet passed through his left wrist and entered his skull near his nose. He was found lying in the cell by the desk sergeant. He was taken to the hospital and died at 12:11 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 1929. The coroner held an inquest, and his death was held to have been accidental.
Gilbreath had served with the Wink Police Department for 15 months and served as the Chief of Police for one year.
He was buried in the Middleton Chapel Cemetery, Wainwright, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnnm3tvdn7yn4514v1er- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rufus. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Gilbreath gave the Wink Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Wink community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Gilbreath.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rufus is the only officer of Wink Police Department remembered here.
Rufus is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 5 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rufus was 53. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Rufus had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Rufus was 53. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Rufus had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rufus was 53. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rufus had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 18%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wink Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wink Police Department are honored on badge.nw.