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Michael Don Roberts
Incident
Reserve Deputies Mike Roberts and Tim Lowry were killed when their patrol car collided with a tractor trailer on State Highway 39, at about 6:50 pm, while serving warrants.
As they crested a hill they encountered a semi that had just made a U-turn. Their patrol car struck the duals of the trailer. Both deputies suffered massive head injuries as a result of the collision.
Deputy Roberts is survived by his wife, five children, parents, two brothers, one sister, and five grandchildren.
Survivors
Deputy Roberts is survived by his wife, five children, parents, two brothers, one sister, and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Roberts gave the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Shawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Sheriff Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 2 officers at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 2011, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2011, 72 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 45. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 56; the middle age was 45. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 22 years.
Michael was 45. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 45. 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. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 40% of these deaths at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
September holds 6.7% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 12.6%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, the 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
