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Incident
Deputy Henry Harper was shot and killed as he and a justice of the peace escorted two prisoners to jail. Both were found asleep in a local school. The car they were driving was stolen. One of the men asked to retrieve his coat and was given permission to do so.
When he grabbed his coat he pulled a revolver from it and shot Deputy Harper twice. The justice of the peace, shot and wounded, was able to return fire. Both suspects were apprehended. One had recently escaped from the Wyoming Penitentiary where he was serving a 10 year sentence. On January 22, 1920, one suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Three days later, the Wyoming fugitive, Deputy Harper's killer, escaped from the Jackson County Jail in Altus along with the brother of the one just convicted. On June 10, 1920, both were surrounded by a posse at a home on Commerce Street in Altus. As they made a break for freedom both were shot and seriously wounded. The gunman was later convicted of Deputy Harper's murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Harper was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Harper was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Harper served with the Harmon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hollis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry is the only officer of Harmon County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Henry is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1919, 6 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 33. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Henry was 33. 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.
Henry was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Harmon County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
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