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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Latimer was killed in a vehicle crash at SH 65 and Central Street as he responded to a call to backup officers involved in a gang shootout. Deputy Latimer was assisting Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers to investigate a traffic collision just north of Temple, Oklahoma. During the investigation, Temple Police requested assistance in dealing with a large crowd at the scene of a drive-by shooting. Deputy Latimer radioed that he was responding to assist the Temple officers. The dispatcher then lost radio contact with him. A short time later, a Temple officer found Deputy Latimer's wrecked patrol car. Deputy Latimer had been thrown 15-feet from the vehicle. He was airlifted to a hospital in Lawton but was pronounced dead on arrival on the morning of October 19th, 1995.
Survivors
Deputy Latimer is survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Latimer gave the Cotton County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Walters community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Latimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Joseph is the only officer of Cotton County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joseph is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1995, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1995, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 23. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.6% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 21.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cotton County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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