Deputy Sheriff Willis "Curley" Sheppard, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

Deputy Sheriff Willis "Curley" Sheppard

Washington County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

End of Watch Saturday, May 20, 1922

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Willis "Curley" Sheppard

Deputy Sheriff Willis Sheppard was fatally shot by the brother of a subject he had just arrested for being drunk in public in an area of Bartlesville known as Smeltertown.

He had taken the subject to jail and was returning to the area when he countered the man on West Fourteenth Street.

The man who shot him was later arrested, tried, and acquitted. On March 6, 1929, he was arrested in Port Arthur, Texas. He admitted to officials there that he murdered Deputy Sheppard. According to Oklahoma law he could not be charged a second time.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Acquitted

retaliation

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Most Recent Reflection

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Deputy Sheriff Sheppard,
On today, the 103rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Washington County.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

May 20, 2025