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Christopher Columbus Whitson Sr.
Incident
Assistant Chief Chris Whitson was shot and killed while investigating reports of a stolen vehicle at a bar north of Seminole. As Assistant Chief Whitson walked up to the vehicle one of two men inside opened fire and shot him several times. One suspect surrendered to police in Shawnee two days later. He admitted that he was the shooter. His accomplice was apprehended two weeks later in Pensacola, Florida. Both suspects, ages 21 and 22, were convicted of Assistant Chief Whitson's murder and sentenced to life. The shooter died in prison in early 1960s. His accomplice was paroled June 9, 1961. In November of 1962 he was returned to prison for robbing a supermarket in Hennessay, Oklahoma. He was released March 7, 1969.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Assistant Chief of Police Whitson served with the Seminole Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Seminole community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Chief of Police Whitson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Seminole Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Christopher is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher 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 1936, 5 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 52. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Christopher was 52. 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.
Christopher was 52. 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%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Seminole Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Seminole Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Seminole Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
