Photos by Matt Choquette
Thursday, May 9th, at 6 p.m., fallen Creek County Law Enforcement Officers were honored in a Memorial Service at the Creek County Courthouse Plaza. Channel 6 News Anchor, Amy Slanchik was the emcee of the ceremony.
Nathan Conner, Creek County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain, led the opening prayer. Following the prayer, there was a Presentation of Colors. Mike Sole, President, Sapulpa F.O.P., Lodge No. 94, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jacob Welch, a member of the Sapulpa High School Choir, sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
The Tulsa Pipe and Drums performed a patriotic medley.
Amy Slanchik introduced the Guest Speaker, District 12 State Senator, James Leewright.
Leewright said, “This memorial helps preserving and paying tribute to not just the members lost but to the lives of those individuals, lives that had a profound impact on those around them.”
Leewright went on to say that the fallen members of law enforcement lived lives that exemplified the definition of courage.
“Each and every day I pray for those who continue to serve in Law Enforcement, for their safety and well being, and that of their families as well. I thank each and every one of you for all you do to keep us safe everyday. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you and God bless you and God bless your family.”
Next was the Roll Call of the fallen.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant, Vernon Wilson read names of the fallen:
J Henry Swinford, Kiefer Police Department, end of watch, August 16,1919
Bob Bryant, Depew Police Department, end of watch,October 21,1911
Ernest H. Keller, Drumright Police Department, end of watch, August 10, 1916
Gene Jackson, Drumright Police Department, end of watch, December 1, 1916
Ulysses S. Lenox, Drumright Police Department, end of watch, July 2, 1924
George Luckett, Depew Police Department, end of watch, October 6, 1931
Leslie E. Wilmott, Kiefer Police Department, end of watch,May 29, 2008
Creek County Sheriff, Bret Bowling read the names of the fallen:
- Larry V. Crabtree, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, end of watch, April 4,1977
- Kenny L. Osborn Oklahoma Highway Patrol, end of watch, July 13, 1978
- Travis Leon Bench, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, October 3,1983
- William L. McClendon, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, end of watch, October 1, 2006
- George C. Green, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, end of watch, October 26, 2010
Major Bob Glenn, Sapulpa Police Department read the names of the fallen:
- James A. Hands, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch, March 2, 1918
- Shepard E. Brumley, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch, January 1, 1923
- Thomas J. Brumley, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch, February 3, 1934
- Charles P. Lloyd, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch, February 3, 1934
- Larry W. Cantrell, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch,July 31, 2005
- Trey B. Pritchard, Sapulpa Police Department, end of watch, August 15, 2015.
Kiefer Police Chief, Johnny O’Mara read names of the fallen:
- Thomas E. Tyus, Creek County Sheriff’s Department, end of watch, July 20, 1911
- Oscar M. Terry, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch,February 8, 1913
- G. Ralph Ellis, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch, November 7, 1915
- John O. Long, Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch, September 15, 1922
- James A. Bradley, Oilton Police Department, end of watch, April 29, 1985
- William “ Bill” Briggs, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch, January 17, 2018
After the names of the fallen was read, there was a gun salute by Creek County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.
Tulsa Police Honor Guard. “Taps” was played by Mark McKinzie, Tulsa Police Department. Tulsa Pipe and Drum played “Amazing Grace,” followed by a Rose Ceremony where family members laid a red rose on the memorials. Closing prayer was by Bill Sagely, Sapulpa Police Department Chaplain.
