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Incident
Sheriff Mitchell succumbed to injuries sustained earlier in the day when he fell under the wheels of a train in Tupelo, Oklahoma. He was returning from taking prisoners to the state penitentiary and was attempting to board the moving train when he fell underneath. One of his legs was crushed and later amputated by a doctor. Sheriff Mitchell succumbed to his injuries that evening.
Sheriff Mitchell was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Sheriff Mitchell was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Sheriff Mitchell served with the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mitchell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Lem is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Lem is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lem is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1914, 34 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1914, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lem was 59. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38.
Lem was 59. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Lem was 59. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
February holds 9.6% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Lem among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
