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.
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- August 2, 2026
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- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oklahoma City Police Department has lost 33 officers; 20 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 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1889, 1 officer at Oklahoma City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 3.
In 1889, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
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.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 3.7 years.
John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 15% of these deaths at Oklahoma City Police Department; February holds the most, 15%. Fridays: 20%.
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60.6% of all 33 deaths at Oklahoma City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Oklahoma City Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Howard Jun 14, 1889
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John Milton Jones
Jun 30, 1895
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George W. Jackson Apr 12, 1898
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Morris R. Reagan
Feb 25, 1910
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William F. Byrd Aug 2, 1919
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Jess Sosbee
Dec 2, 1922
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Briggs Chumley
Nov 3, 1924
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Isaac D. Ashburn
Jul 20, 1928
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John D. Gates
Mar 23, 1930
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Charles York
Feb 8, 1933
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John Harold Beasley
May 22, 1933
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Douglas W. Gates
Dec 3, 1933
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Elmer Lee Sartor
Aug 20, 1934
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Ray S. Clark
May 23, 1936
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Frank Cissne
Apr 5, 1937
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Fred B. Counts
Aug 22, 1938
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Webb Loraine Campbell
Oct 29, 1938
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Reese F. Galyon, Jr.
Dec 22, 1951
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Benjamin F. Cravatt
Jul 16, 1954
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Eugene Henry Mills
Dec 11, 1954
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Ronald Lynn Haggard
Mar 21, 1963
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Mark H. Zelewski
Jul 27, 1964
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Michael J. Ratikan
Jun 14, 1971
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James Dewey Chamblin
Apr 15, 1974
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Terry Glen Lawson
Apr 21, 1977
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Gary Lee Ward
Feb 2, 1985
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Richard O. Riggs
Jan 7, 1986
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Delmar Warren Tooman
Sep 29, 1990
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Jeffrey Dean Rominger
Aug 31, 2000
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Jonathan Paul Dragus
Oct 20, 2005
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Robert Craig Douglas
Sep 28, 2008
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Kelley Allen Chase
Oct 13, 2012
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Meagan Burke
Sep 29, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
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