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Incident
Deputy Payne and an undercover narcotics agent were shot by the stepfather of a 17-year-old male they were attempting to arrest on a marijuana charge at his home about 1:30 a.m. The stepfather fired five rounds from a snub-nosed .38-caliber pistol, fatally wounding Deputy Payne and striking the narcotics agent in the chin and left hand. The stepfather was wounded in the side by the narcotics agent who fired from the doorway of the residence as he was seeking cover. The 17-year-old fled out the back door when the shooting began. He surrendered to authorities about 9:30 a.m. after a massive eight-hour search of the Burns Flat industrial district. The stepfather was arrested and charged with murdering Deputy Payne. He testified that he thought Deputy Payne was an armed intruder in his home that night and cited the fact that the deputy had a beard and long hair. The prosecution countered that Deputy Payne was dressed in uniform. The suspect was acquitted by a jury.
Survivors
Deputy Payne was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Payne served with the Washita County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cordell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Payne.
— 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.
Clifford is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Clifford is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clifford 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 1977, 1 officer at Washita County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 5 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Washita County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 60%.
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% 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 handgun, 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 handgun, in 28% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Washita County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Clifford among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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.
