Dewar Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Thursday, July 25, 1974
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 25, 1974
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Marshal Thomas Adkins was shot and killed while investigating a prowler call. When he arrived at the scene he discovered a pickup truck with a camper shell on the back. As he approached the vehicle a suspect inside fired a shotgun, striking Marshal Adkins in the back.
The suspect fled to his grandfather's home in Schulter, Oklahoma, where he was located by Auxiliary Officer Walter Hembree, of the Henryetta Police Department, and the Henryetta police chief. As the two officers approached the house the suspect shot them as well, fatally wounding Auxiliary Officer Hembree. The suspect then shot and killed Deputy Burton Brewer, of the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Department, before being shot and wounded by the chief of the Morris Police Department.
The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later overturned and he was then sentenced to life in prison. He was denied a parole June of 2016. As of October 22. 2022, he was in prison.