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Incident
Officer William Hayes succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day while attempting to make an arrest.
The suspect was taken into custody and put in jail, but after Officer Hayes died of the wounds an angry mob of citizens took control of him and hung him.
Officer Hayes is burried in Highland Cemetery in Lawton, Oklahoma.
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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.
Officer Hayes served with the Lawton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lawton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Hayes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lawton Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1916, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd 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 75% of all 4 deaths at Lawton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lawton Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lawton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
