Westville Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Friday, February 25, 1927
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 25, 1927
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Released in 1949
Officer Rather was shot and killed while questioning several suspects. He and another officer approached a vehicle occupied by two men and a woman. One of the men exited the vehicle and shot Officer Rather in the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The shooter was eventually apprehended, convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was released on April 1, 1949.
Officer Rather had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife and eleven children.