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Incident
Deputy Meeks was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant. At about 8 p.m. he was assisting a Kiowa County deputy sheriff in serving an arrest warrant on a 19-year-old man for burglary. As the deputies approached the house the young man's father opened fire on the deputies, wounding both. Deputy Meeks was shot in the head and chest. The Kiowa deputy was critically wounded. The target of the arrest warrant dragged the wounded Kiowa deputy to safety and called police and medical assistance. The Kiowa County deputy survived his wounds. The 56-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on Dec. 11, 1967. He was denied parole in 1975.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Meeks gave the Washita County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cordell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meeks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washita County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Cleo is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Cleo is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cleo 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 1967, 1 officer at Washita County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cleo was 54. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Washita County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 44.5 and 50.3; the middle age was 47.5. Cleo had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Cleo was 54. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Cleo had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Cleo was 54. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cleo had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cleo was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cleo had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Washita County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
October holds 6.5% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Washita County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Washita County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Cleo among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Washita County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
