Prev
Incident
Deputy Cantrell was shot and killed while assisting another deputy check two people in a car near Sulphur. Deputy Cantrell, who was at home at the time, brought his two teenage sons along with him when he went to the scene. As Deputy Cantrell stepped out of his car a man in the backseat of the suspicious car opened fire with a 20-gauge shotgun, striking Deputy Cantrell in the chest. The other deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspect. The suspect fled to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was shot and killed after wounding a motorcycle patrolman.
Survivors
Deputy Cantrell was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpbj73r6hb6aqd18vdfk- 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 John. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cantrell served with the Murray County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sulphur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cantrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Murray County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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
John was 48. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
John 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.
John was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 7.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Murray County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 8.4% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Murray County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.