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Incident
Lieutenant Shirley Lanning was killed in an automobile crash on the Northwest Expressway just west of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike.
Her patrol car crossed the center line and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. The occupants of the other vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Lieutenant Lanning had served in law enforcement for 30 years. She had previously served with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the University of Central Oklahoma Police Department.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband, stepson, parents, and siblings.
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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Lanning gave the Canadian County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the El Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Lanning.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Canadian County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Shirley is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Shirley is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Shirley is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 2 officers in OK were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 2020, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2020, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Shirley was 58. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Shirley had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shirley was 58. 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. Shirley had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shirley was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Shirley had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 9.6% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 12.6%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Canadian County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Canadian County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Shirley among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Canadian County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.