Ardmore Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 25, 1970
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: March 25, 1970
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Herbert Poe was killed when his motorcycle collided with the side of a Frisco switch engine at the railroad tracks on South Washington Street, between Stanley Avenue and 2nd Avenue.
He had finished his shift at 4:00 am and was driving his motorcycle home while still in uniform. He struck a flatcar that was being pulled by the switch engine. Patrolman Poe left 12 feet of skid marks before laying the motorcycle on its side for 65 feet. Indications are Patrolman Poe was attempting to get the motorcycle back on its wheels when he smashed into the steps at the rear of the switch engine.
The motorcycle was thrown backward after impact and came to rest 20 feet north of the tracks and six feet east of the curb. The switch engine had been backing across the intersection from west to east and cleared the intersection before it stopped.
Patrolman Poe had received two departmental commendations for outstanding work during the preceding 11 months.
Patrolman Poe was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Ardmore Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, father, stepfather, sister, and brother.