Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Monday, January 19, 1914
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 19, 1914
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sergeant Godfrey, Deputy Warden D. C. Oates, and Correctional Officer Herman H. Drover were shot and killed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary by three prisoners who were attempting to escape. A former Oklahoma congressman visiting the prison was also killed and three others were shot and wounded.
No one seemed to know exactly how, but each of the three prisoners had obtained a revolver. As they ran towards the front gate they shot everyone they saw and begged other inmates to join them, but no other inmates did. As they reached the front gate and fled outside guards opened fire on the escapees, killing all three.
Sergeant Godfrey had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife. He is buried in Rosemound Cemetery in Medford, Oklahoma.