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Incident
Assistant Chief of Police Silas Cope was shot and killed in Saint Louis, Oklahoma, while he and a Seminole County deputy were returning to Wewoka after taking a mental patient to the state hospital in Norman. The two officers had stopped at a restaurant in Saint Louis to eat dinner. As they left the restaurant after eating they were ambushed by a bootlegger. Assistant Chief Cope was mortally wounded and died at a local hospital 90 minutes later. The deputy returned fire but did not strike the suspect. The man was arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on May 6, 1938.
Survivors
Assistant Chief Cope was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Assistant Chief of Police Cope served with the Wewoka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Cope.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wewoka Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Silas is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Silas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Silas 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 1928, 8 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Silas was 60. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Silas was 60. 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.
Silas was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Wewoka Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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, in 16.6% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wewoka Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Silas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wewoka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
