Deputy Sheriff James Wilson

Grady Co officers who died in the line of duty

Jason Clarke
The Tuttle Times

CHICKASHA; Some of their lives were taken by bandits, others taken by fellow officers, but all their lives were given in the protection of the people.

In the history of Grady County, eight law enforcement officers have died in the line of service. Four Chickasha officers, two county deputies, a Tuttle officer and a Verden officer, each gave a sacrifice that has been buried under time.

Sheriff Kieran McMullen has a plan to change that, however. In a memorial to be dedicated on May 31, Grady County will honor those law enforcement officers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Standing four and a half feet tall, bearing the seal of the county, the memorial will read "Those who gave all" and "We walk the streets they served."

Below the list of names:

Chickasha Chief Emmett Goodwin - Fairview Park
Deputy Sheriff Edden Morris - Rose Hill
Chickasha Asst. Chief Sam Scott
Verden Marshal Alexander A. Anderson
Chickasha Patrolman Henry A. "Texas" Tate - Rose Hill
Deputy Sheriff James A. Wilson - Laflin Creek
Chickasha Sgt. Herschel A. Smith - Rose Hill
Tuttle Night Watchman August G. Nowka - Fairview Tuttle

The dedication ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. at the flag pole in front of the Law Enforcement Center. Sheriff Kieran McMullen encouraged any surviving family members of the officers to attend the ceremony.

Deputy Sheriff James A. Wilson
Shot May 31, 1935

Deputy Wilson was shot and killed in Commanche County while assisting law enforcement there in the hunt for two bank robbers.

The two men and the two women with them had been accused of a Fletcher highway robbery and the robbery of the Elgin Bank.

Wilson and Sheriff Jim Bond had tracked the robbers to a farm house. When speaking to the homeowners, the deputies were told they should move on.

Having lost the track, the Sheriff Bond and Wilson realized the bandits were in the home, most likely threatening the homeowners.

They returned to the home and asked for a glass of water, Bond later said. Noticing how anxious the wife was, they asked for and received consent to look around.

Wilson stepped into the house and told the men to come out. He was met with a gun shot to the chest and a shot gun blast to the back. Wilson was able to shoot one of the men as he fell to the ground.

According to news reports a veritable barrage opened up on the farmhouse as other searchers outside began to fire. Machine gun, rifle and pistol shots were exchanged between the officers and the bandits.

The house was rushed by Oklahoma City officers who had arrived to aid, and Charles Sands and Leon Siler were taken into custody, along with the two women with them.

Sands and Siler then faced charges in Commanche County for Wilson's murder.