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Incident
Deputy Tate succumbed to gunshot wounds received three days earlier near Oswalt while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for obtaining money on false pretense. Deputy Tate went to the home of the man's uncle to serve the warrant. The uncle opened the door and as Deputy Tate walked inside the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Tate in the abdomen. Deputy Tate managed to return fire hitting the suspect in both hands. He was apprehended a few days later and charged with murder. Just before his trial was to begin he escaped from the county jail. On April 6, 1919, he and his brother were captured by the Love County sheriff. His brother was wanted for another murder and had been at large for three years.
Deputy Tate's killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to 7 years. He was paroled in 1921. On July 21, 1921, he and two other men were arrested for hitting a man in the head with a rock, causing him to be hospitalized in critical condition. They managed to escape from the arresting officers, but later were overtaken by a posse at the Texas state line. His parole was revoked and he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Deputy Tate was survived by his wife and five brothers.
Survivors
Deputy Tate was survived by his wife and five brothers.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Tate served with the Love County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marietta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Love County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1917, 8 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 34. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Walter was 34. 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.
Walter was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Love County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 1.7% 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 rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Love County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Love County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
