Prev
Incident
Deputy Yargee was shot when he attempted to stop a gambler who was fleecing a young drunken boy out of his money. Seeing that the boy was intoxicated Deputy Yargee told the gambler to stop. The suspect drew a gun and shots were exchanged. The suspect was shot and critically wounded. Deputy Yargee was shot and wounded in the hand. Deputy Yargee was brought to his house to recover but blood poisoning set in. Deputy Yargee was taken to the West Side Hospital for treatment. His right arm was amputated at the shoulder, but failed to save him. Deputy Yargee died from blood poisoning and gangrene from his wounds. The suspect was tried and acquitted.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpvbmwpyvevx3n2b91tj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Pleas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Yargee served with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Yargee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Pleas is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Pleas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Pleas 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 1909, 1 officer at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1910, with 2.
In 1909, 14 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Pleas was 24. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 53; the middle age was 48.
Pleas was 24. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Pleas was 24. 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.
Pleas was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 25% of these deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 37.5%.
October holds 6.5% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 11 deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, Pleas among them.
-
Pleas Yargee
Oct 27, 1909
-
Charles Stamper Oct 9, 1910
-
John Ernst
Dec 25, 1910
-
Dewitt Clinton Cooley
Sep 15, 1915
-
James Ward Aug 20, 1919
-
William Thomas Beasley
Sep 11, 1919
-
James A. Sewell
Mar 24, 1925
-
Joe Cecil Clark
Feb 18, 1959
-
Wesley Green Cole
Jun 9, 1972
-
John Okafor
Apr 15, 2020
-
John Arthur Harris, II
Aug 19, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
