Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Oklahoma
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 5, 1983
Cause: Gunfire
Biographical Info
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 697 Trooper Bench was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man during a traffic stop on State Highway 97. After checking the man's driver's license he learned that the man was driving on a suspended license. As he attempted to make the arrest he suspect ran to his car and retrieved a pistol.
As Trooper Bench took cover behind his cruiser he was struck in the head by a round that passed through the windshield and rear window of his patrol car.
The suspect was originally sentenced to life in prison, but the conviction was overturned in 1997 due to the suspect's mental status. The man was then committed to a state hospital.
Trooper Bench had been with the agency for 1 year. | 
