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Incident
Deputy Thomas Tyus was shot and killed by another officer who mistook him for a burglar.
Deputy Tyus had gone to a home to serve a warrant on a bootlegging suspect but the suspect was not there. A woman at the home thought Deputy Tyus was a burglar and left through a back door to notify an officer.
When the officer arrived spotted Deputy Tyus and started to approach him. Deputy Tyus also saw the officer and, thinking he was the suspect, also approached. The officer thought Deputy Tyus was going to attack him and opened fire, killing him.
Deputy Tyus was survived by his four children.
Survivors
Deputy Tyus was survived by his four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Tyus served with the Creek County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sapulpa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tyus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Creek County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1911, 42 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 21.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Creek County Sheriff's Department, the 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Creek County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Creek County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
