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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Will Turner was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a man near the town of Violet Springs.
He located the man along with the man's brother and two other men. When Deputy Turner told the man he was under arrest the man drew his gun. Deputy Turner opened fire on him, but the round was stropped by a steal chest plate the man had in his vest. All four men opened fire on Deputy Turner, killing him.
All four subjects were arrested by a posse. One of the men was acquitted and one was sentenced to two years in prison. The man who was named on the warrant was sentenced to 10 years in prison and his brother was sentenced to five years.
On June 30th, 1895, both brothers escaped from the Oklahoma County Jail while appealing their sentences. Oklahoma City Police Chief John Jones was shot and killed during the escape. Another cop-killer who attempted to escape with them was shot and killed during the attempt. One of the brothers was later shot and killed by a posse in Arizona while the other was never located.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Turner served with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Shawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Will is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Will is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Will 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 1895, 3 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
April holds 6.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.9% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Will among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
