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Incident
Chief of Police Joseph Cotton was shot and killed when he and an officer responded to a report of a former mental patient brandishing a shotgun.
When they arrived on the scene the man opened fire, fatally wounding Chief Cotton. The other officer, also hit by a shotgun blast, returned fire seriously wounding the suspect.
The 60-year-suspect was adjudged insane and committed at the state mental institution where he died on September 19, 1954.
Chief Cotton had served with the Wewoka Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by nine children. He was preceded in death by two wives and one child.
Survivors
He was survived by nine children.
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.
Chief of Police Cotton gave the Wewoka Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cotton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wewoka Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1953, 3 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 66. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joseph was 66. 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. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 66. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
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 100% of all 2 deaths at Wewoka Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 1% 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Wewoka Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wewoka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
