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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Ford was shot and killed as he attempted to stop four escaped prisoners. Deputy Ford, his partner, and an ex-prison guard who was with them, were alerted that the escape was taking place at the Oklahoma State Prison and intercepted the four escapees leaving in a vehicle, holding Warden Jess Dunn hostage. A gun battle ensued and Deputy Ford was shot in the head and killed. Warden Dunn, and three of the suspects were also shot and killed.
The fourth suspect was serving a life sentence for the murder of Night Watchman Elijah C. Smith of the Byars Police Department on June 27, 1937. He was convicted of Warden Dunn's murder and executed in the electric chair on July 14, 1943.
One of the suspects who was killed was serving a life sentence for murdering Prison Guard Charles D. Powell at the same prison during a mass escape attempt on May 13, 1936.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ford gave the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the McAlester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1941, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 44. 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. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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 3 deaths at Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.