Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Friday, September 24, 1999
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 632
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 24, 1999
Weapon Used: Rifle; AR-15
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Trooper Eales was shot and killed as he and other officers, along with the district attorney's drug task force, were serving a warrant at a rural residence in Sequoyah County.
The officers had just arrived at the residence when they were ambushed while still in their cruiser. The round was fired from a .223 caliber rifle and struck Trooper Eales in the side, just above his vest's side panels.
Officers were able to return fire, wounding one suspect. That suspect and his son were both taken into custody. The suspect's trial was declared a mistrial in October 2002. The suspect was convicted in a second trial and sentenced to 20 years in jail for manslaughter.
In 2005 the suspect was indicted on federal charges of killing a law enforcement officer while avoiding an arrest for a felony. He was convicted of the charge on November 4, 2005, and subsequently sentenced to death, plus two life sentences without parole.
Trooper Eales was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.