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Incident
Sheriff Ratliff was shot and killed while he and several other officers attempted to restrain a crazed man. The suspect had been taken to the jail by a railroad detective but was released the following morning. Later in the morning the city marshal encountered the man again. Undersheriff Jason Daugherty went to assist the marshal but the man suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed him in the shoulder. Sheriff Ratliff and other deputies came to assist as well. The suspect was able to gain control of Sheriff Ratliff's weapon and shot him twice, killing him. Other officers continued to return fire, mortally wounding the suspect. Undersheriff Daugherty succumbed to his wounds two months later. Sheriff Ratliff was in his fourth term as sheriff.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Ratliff served with the McClain County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Purcell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ratliff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McClain County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1925, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 51. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
John was 51. 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.
John was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at McClain County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
McClain County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McClain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
