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Incident
Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree was shot and killed as he and the police chief attempted to arrest a man who had just shot and killed Marshal Thomas Adkins, of the Dewar Police Department. After killing Marshal Adkins the suspect fled to his grandfather's house where he was located by the two officers. The chief was also wounded in the shooting. The suspect then shot and killed Deputy Burton Brewer, of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department, before being shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He ha a parole hearing in June of 2016.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Auxiliary Officer Hembree served with the Henryetta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Henryetta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Officer Hembree.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walter is the only officer of Henryetta Police Department remembered here.
Walter is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1974, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 60. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Walter 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.
Walter 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
July holds 10.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Henryetta Police Department. 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 23-E
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