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Incident
Deputy Ernst was shot and killed as he attempted to break up a game of craps. His killer was apprehended in Cushing on August 6, 1915. He was charged with murder and tried on March 7, 1916, but the outcome of the case is unknown.
Survivors
Deputy Ernst had been with agency for three years and 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ernst gave the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ernst.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1910, 2 officers at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1910, 10 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 29. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 53; the middle age was 48. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 29. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 29. 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. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
December holds 9.7% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 11 deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Pleas Yargee
Oct 27, 1909
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Charles Stamper Oct 9, 1910
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John Ernst
Dec 25, 1910
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Dewitt Clinton Cooley
Sep 15, 1915
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James Ward Aug 20, 1919
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William Thomas Beasley
Sep 11, 1919
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James A. Sewell
Mar 24, 1925
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Joe Cecil Clark
Feb 18, 1959
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Wesley Green Cole
Jun 9, 1972
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John Okafor
Apr 15, 2020
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John Arthur Harris, II
Aug 19, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
