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Incident
Chief Ernest Keller was shot and killed by two men who mistook him and another officer as robbery suspects.
Chief Keller and the officer had been notified that two robbers were walking along railroad tracks near a slaughterhouse. As the two officer walked down the tracks they observed two men approaching and ordered them to throw up their hands. The man instead opened fire, killing Chief Keller and wounding the other officer.
The two men were also looking for the robbers and mistook the officers for the suspects.
Chief Keller was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Chief Keller was survived by his wife.
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.
Chief of Police Keller served with the Drumright Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Drumright community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Keller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Drumright Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1916, 4 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 35. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Ernest was 35. 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.
Ernest was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 7.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Drumright Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 7.9% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Drumright Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Drumright Police Department are honored on badge.nw.