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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Homer Teaff was shot and killed while he and another deputy arrested a man on a larceny warrant. As Deputy Teaff handcuffed the man, the man grabbed the deputy's service weapon and shot him twice.
The suspect and his wife buried Deputy Teaff on a nearby swamp. They surrendered to officers one week later on Brushey Mountain. Both were charged with murder. The man was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His wife was acquitted. In 1925 the man, who was 62, was granted a new trial. He was again convicted of murder but only sentenced to four years with credit for the time he had served. The judge took into consideration that the man was in very poor health with not long to live.
Deputy Teaff was survived by his wife, child, and two brothers. Both brothers served with the Springfield, Missouri, Police Departmetn.
Survivors
Deputy Teaff was survived by his wife, child, and two 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 Teaff served with the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Teaff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Muskogee County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Homer is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Homer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Homer 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 1922, 1 officer at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 1922, 13 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
June holds 42.9% of these deaths at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Muskogee County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Homer among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Muskogee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
