Cushing Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 30, 1968
Age: 60
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: July 30, 1968
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1970s
Chief of Police Oswell Rowden and Deputy Sheriff Jerry Beall of the Payne County Sheriff's Office were killed after a prisoner they were transporting caused them to crash their vehicle.
The two officers were transporting two prisoners to the Payne County Jail when one of the prisoners climbed over the front seat and attacked them. The vehicle crashed during the ensuing struggle. and both officers were killed in the accident.
The suspect was convicted of murder but was paroled in the 1970s.
Chief Rowden had been the chief since 1961 and had served with the Cushing Police Department since 1949. He was survived by his wife and two sons.