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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Beasley was shot and killed while he and other deputies were setting up a sting on a bank in the Red Fork area of Tulsa. The Tulsa County sheriff had received a tip that the bank would be robbed, so he and four deputies set up an ambush. Deputy Beasley was inside a barn across the street from the bank. When the suspects exited the bank after robbing it they were ordered to put their hands up. Instead, the suspects began to shoot. Officers and citizens returned fire, fatally wounding two of three suspects. When the deputies returned to the scene, they realized that Deputy Beasley was missing. The sheriff returned to the scene and found Deputy Beasley in the barn, having died from a bullet wound. It is thought that he was struck by a stray bullet fired by a citizen during the shootout. Deputy Beasley had served with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office for nine months and previously served with the Tulsa Police Department, Bartlesville Police Department (Oklahoma), and as law enforcement officer in California.
Survivors
He was survived by his 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.
Deputy Sheriff Beasley gave the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulsa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Beasley.
— 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.
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 1919, 2 officers at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 6 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 50. 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. William had served 13.3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 50. 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 13.3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 50. 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 13.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 50. 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 13.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 25% of these deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 11 deaths at Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, William 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 51-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.
