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Incident
City Marshal Wiley Florence was shot and killed by a night policeman who had just been fired by the city mayor.
The three men were in front of city hall when the night policeman opened fire on the mayor. The round struck Marshal Florence in the chest, mortally wounding him.
The night policeman turned himself and was charged with murder. His first trial ended with a hung jury. Results of his second trial in 1934 are not known.
Marshal Florence had been appointed only three weeks earlier.
Survivors
He was a widower and was survived by his son and two daughters.
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.
City Marshal Florence served with the Purcell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Purcell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Florence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wiley is the only officer of Purcell Police Department remembered here.
Wiley is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Wiley is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wiley is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 9 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wiley was 46. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Wiley had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Wiley was 46. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Wiley had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wiley was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wiley had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Purcell 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 34,102 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 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Purcell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.