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Incident
Constable Charles Adams succumbed to gunshot wounds received two days earlier when he attempted to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
Constable Adams responded to a disturbance involving a suspect drunk in public who had fled to his residence. When Constable Adams approached to make an arrest, the suspect produced a handgun and shot Constable Adams in the throat, chest, and stomach. Constable Adams was found in his car near the scene.
The suspect was captured by a posse near Idabel, Oklahoma, the next day. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison October 16, 1949. He was paroled April 18, 1967.
Constable Adams had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Constable Adams had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Adams gave the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Idabel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1949, 1 officer at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1949, 2 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 69. Of the 7 killed feloniously at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 50; the middle age was 44. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Charles was 69. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 69. 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. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 69. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.5% of these deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 37.5%. Mondays: 25%.
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was 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 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
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from McCurtain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
