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Incident
Sheriff Sam Randolph was shot and killed by a county constable who was upset with him over a recent murder investigation. The constable was upset because he felt he deserved more credit for obtaining the suspect's confession.
The constable approached the sheriff in a local grocery store as the sheriff was campaigning for re-election. In the ensuing argument the constable produced a gun and shot Sheriff Randolph in the chest.
The constable was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
Sheriff Randolph was survived by his wife and seven children.
Survivors
Sheriff Randolph was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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 Randolph 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, Sheriff Randolph.
— 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.
Sam is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Sam is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sam 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 1934, 14 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sam was 51. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Sam was 51. 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.
Sam was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Love County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 28% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Love County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Sam among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-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.
