Tulsa Police Officers' Memorial

Sergeant Craig V. Johnson died June 30, 2020, of his injuries after being shot while assisting Officer Aurash Zarkeshan on a traffic stop on June 29th, 2020. The driver refused to obey repeated verbal commands to exit his car and the officers proceeded to physically remove him. The driver, a career criminal, produced a semi-automatic hand gun and shot both officers multiple times. Sgt. Johnson died from his injuries on June 30th, 2020. Officer Zarkeshan survived his serious gunshot wounds including a wound to his head.

Rest peacefully Sergeant Johnson.

Officer Dick V. Hobson, Jr. died June 11, 1996 when a foot pursuit and coordinated search for an armed robbery suspect led to a dark alley in downtown Tulsa. Officer Hobson entered the alley with his K-9 dog and fellow K-9 officer Steve Downie. They were immediately ambushed by the suspect who was lying in wait. Backing officers returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene. Officer Hobson received fatal gunshot wounds at the scene and died at the hospital later that evening. Officer Downie received a serious gunshot wound to his leg and later recovered.

Detective William Charles Meachum died June 8, 1920, the result of a gunshot wound. Detective Meachum was technically not a member of the police department when he was shot. The incident occurred about 3:45 A.M. near Archer and Main. Detective Meachum had resigned from the police force the previous evening to become the City Marshal at Bigheart, Oklahoma. He wanted to complete an investigation of some armed robbery suspects. He was shot during the attempted arrest by George H. Smith who fled and escaped. On June 19th, Smith was killed in a shootout with detectives in Kansas City, Missouri.

106 years later and we are still grateful for Detective Meachum.

Corporal Nelson F. Williams died June 1, 1958, as a result of injuries he received in a traffic collision. His vehicle was struck by a speeding vehicle that ran a red light. The intoxicated suspect was arrested.

Seventy-five years ago, but we still remember...

Detective Cornelius W. White, died May 17, 1951. He was transporting a r**e suspect to the jail. The suspect drew a concealed pistol and shot Detective White in the chest, killing him. The suspect was killed in a shoot-out with police.

Officer Wallace Eugene Casey died May 12, 1957 as a result of injuries he received in a traffic collision. His motorcycle collided with another vehicle that pulled out in front of him. The suspect left the scene of the accident and was apprehended a short time later and arrested.

Rest in peace!

On April 27, 1962, Officer Hugh C. Greer died from a gunshot wound he received when he and Officer Ray Burch approached two burglary suspects. One of the suspects grabbed Officer Greer’s pistol, killing Officer Greer with it and wounding officer Burch. One suspect was wounded and arrested at the scene.

Today, we must honor two Tulsa Police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our city.

Detective Henry C. Morrison died April 23, 1933 as a result of gunshot wounds he received while transporting an auto theft suspect to jail. A fight ensued and the suspect gained control of Detective Morrison’s pistol and shot him four times. The suspect was apprehended.

Officer Constantine G. "Gus" Spanos died April 23, 1993 as a result of a gunshot wound he received during an early morning car stop on April 22. Officer Spanos stopped a car at 5800 N. Cincinnati Ave. His backing officer found him lying next to his patrol unit with a bullet wound to the head. He was taken to the hospital where he died the following day. The driver of the suspect vehicle fled the state but was eventually apprehended, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Officer Spanos.

Officer James S. Peters died April 14th, 1949, as a result of gunshot wounds he received while searching a lumberyard. He walked in on a burglary in progress and was shot by one or more burglary suspects. His murder still remains unsolved.

Sixty-three years ago. Officer George Lee Brady died on April 3rd, 1963. Officer Brady was chasing a speeding vehicle, when another vehicle pulled out in front of him causing him to go left of center. This resulted in a head on collision that killed him and a passenger in the other vehicle. The speeder was captured near the scene and arrested.

Rest in peace Officer Brady.