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Incident
Deputy John Dennis was shot and killed as he and two other deputies attempted to arrest a murder suspect. The man produced a gun during the arrest and shot Deputy Dennis in the hip. Deputy Dennis bled to death a short time later.
Three days later the suspect was captured by a posse and brought to Wewoka where he was seized by an angry mob and hanged from a telegraph pole.
Deputy Dennis had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and was survived by his wife and seven children. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka, Seminole County, Oklahoma.
Survivors
Deputy Dennis had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and was survived by his wife and seven 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dennis gave the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dennis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Seminole County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1913, 1 officer at Seminole County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2009, with 2.
In 1913, 3 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 42. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Seminole County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 42.8; the middle age was 41. John had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 3.6 years.
John was 42. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. John had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 42. 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. John had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Seminole County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 50%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Seminole County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Seminole County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
