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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willis Sheppard was fatally shot by the brother of a subject he had just arrested for being drunk in public in an area of Bartlesville known as Smeltertown.
He had taken the subject to jail and was returning to the area when he countered the man on West Fourteenth Street.
The man who shot him was later arrested, tried, and acquitted. On March 6, 1929, he was arrested in Port Arthur, Texas. He admitted to officials there that he murdered Deputy Sheppard. According to Oklahoma law he could not be charged a second time.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Sheppard served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bartlesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sheppard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Willis is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 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.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Washington County Sheriff's Office. 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Washington County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
