Chief of Police John Milton Jones

John Milton Jones

Chief of Police John Jones was shot and killed by three prisoners as they escaped from the Oklahoma County Jail.

The men had overpowered the jailer after pistols had been smuggled to them. Once outside the jail, the subjects attempted to commandeer a wagon. When Chief Jones arrived, gunfire was exchanged. Chief Jones was shot and killed along with one escapee. The other two men escaped and were never apprehended.

One of the men who fled to Arizona was involved in the murder of Deputy Collector Frank Robson of the United States Customs Service on August 12th, 1896. The other two had murdered Deputy Sheriff Will Turner, of the Pottawattomie County Sheriff's Office on April 27th, 1895. It is believed that the same group was also involved in the killing of Deputy Sheriff Sam Farris of the Canadian County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Office on May 23rd, 1894.

Chief Jones had served as chief for 13 months. He was survived by his wife and mother.