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Incident
Night Watchman August Nowka was shot and killed as he and the city marshal searched two robbery suspects.
One of the men pulled out a handgun and shot Watchman Nowka three times, killing him. The city marshal was also wounded in the leg. Both suspects were apprehended the next day near the Kansas state line after being shot and seriously wounded by two highway patrolman and the Garfield County undersheriff.
The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His accomplice was convicted of murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 50 years. On February 23, 1942, he escaped from prison and was shot and killed the next day by officers in Oklahoma City.
Watchman Nowka was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Watchman Nowka was survived by his wife and five children.
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.
Night Watchman Nowka served with the Tuttle Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tuttle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Nowka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
August is the only officer of Tuttle Police Department remembered here.
August is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
August is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
August 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 1939, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
August was 48. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
August was 48. 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.
August was 48. 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%. Sundays: 18.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Tuttle Police Department. 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 51.7% of all 34,117 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 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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