Deputized Civilian

Oliver McCoy

Kern County Sheriff's Office — Bakersfield, CA
Felonious
End of Watch July 3, 1891
Gender Male

Incident

Deputized Civilian Oliver McCoy and Constable John Powers were shot and killed when they went into the Mojave Desert to arrest some Indians who were accused of setting haystacks on fire. A gun battle ensued in which both were killed and two Indians were killed. A third man with the officers was able to escape and summon help. Another Indian, known to be an evil and desperate character, was later captured at Coyote Hole. With much evidence and by his own admission he was found to be the one who killed the two officers.

Survivors

Oliver McCoy was survived by his wife and six 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

135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputized Civilian McCoy served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Bakersfield, Kern County, CA
Platform Identity kcso.kern.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 3, 1891
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Oliver is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Kern County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Oliver among them.

Deputized Civilian Oliver McCoy

Kern County Sheriff's Office · End of Watch July 3, 1891

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E

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