City Marshal

John Howard

Oklahoma City Police Department — Oklahoma City, OK
Felonious
End of Watch June 14, 1889
Tour of Duty
Gender Male

Incident

City Marshal John Howard was shot and killed by the man he replaced as city marshal just one day after being sworn in. The suspect, angry about his dismissal and replacement, began shooting up the 100 block of West Reno Street. When Marshal Howard responded a gun battle ensued and Marshal Howard was shot and killed. The suspect was wounded. He was tried and acquitted on self-defense, not unusual in a mutual combat situation for that time. However, the shooter was later convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was reduced to life in prison and the suspect was pardoned after serving eight years in prison.

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

137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Howard served with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Oklahoma City, Canadian County, OK
Platform Identity opd.oklahoma.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 14, 1889
Tour of Duty
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Oklahoma City Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, John among them.

City Marshal John Howard

Oklahoma City Police Department · End of Watch June 14, 1889

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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